Elevate your classroom climate activities
Lecture materials, class debates, discussion topics, activism opportunities, memes to make. Discover teaching and learning materials accompanied by short videos from the Ecologues events.
What is the Climate Crisis?
The Essential Science of Climate Change
Matthew Pye, founder of the Climate Academy, a teacher, philosopher and author, takes us through six key concepts behind climate change. From high-developed nations’ rising emissions to “the gigaclock,” learn the root causes of climate change and the systemic action needed to stop it.
The video is accompanied by a guided presentation and information to host engaging lectures and activities for students.
Complete the activity, foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
Who Is Most Responsible for the Climate Crisis?
Matthew Pye, founder of the Climate Academy, is a teacher, philosopher and author. Rahmina Paullete, the founder of Kisumu Environmental Champs, is an activist and conservationist. Alister Doyle, author of The Great Melt, is a News Decoder correspondent who formerly reported on the environment for Reuters.
These three speakers engaged in debate about governments, media and corporations leading to the question: who is most responsible for the climate crisis? Watch the discussion and download class debate instructions.
Activity idea: Class debate
Environmental Justice
Education and Climate Change
Floriane Marié, a professional in the field of climate education specializing in Africa and Latin America, explained why women are more affected by the climate crisis and how education is the key to solving the issue of injustice. We invite students and educators to watch the video as a starting point for discussion on women’s rights.
Activity: Discovering women’s rights around the world
Complete the activity, foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
Are We Optimistic About Climate Change?
Paul Spencer Sochaczewski is a News Decoder correspondent, writer, lecturer and former head of creative services for WWF. He shares with us his storytelling tips gathered over a decades-long career — and how you can use them to address the climate emergency. Watch the video for ideas to start creating compelling climate communications and clever educational memes of your own.
Activity: Make a climate social media post
Complete the activity, foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
Climate Activism and Social Justice
Marie Cohuet, a spokesperson for Alternatiba Paris and climate and social justice activist talks about the connection between climate and social activism and how we can all come together to fight for what’s right. We invite students and educators to use the video in a classes as a starting point for discussion on equity and taking action.
Activity: Social Privilege Scavenger Hunt
Activity: How To Start Taking Action On Your Own?
Energy Transition
Discussing Digitalisation
Emi Bertoli, a project coordinator and energy analyst, International Energy Agency.
Discussion questions:
- In the shift towards electricity as the primary energy source, which objects from our daily lives will undergo this transformation and what measures will need to be taken to provide them with electricity?
- How do you define digitalisation, and what are some of the ways that it is transforming our daily lives?
- What benefits can digitalisation offer us, and how might it contribute to a more sustainable future?
- What are some of the potential issues or challenges associated with the widespread adoption of digital technologies, and how might we address these concerns moving forward?
Additionally, check out the News Decoder article “Kenya tries again to digitally register all residents”
Answer these questions and foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
Is Voting Important?
Tom Burke, the Chairman and co-founder of E3G, Third Generation Environmentalism.
Activity: When the youth runs out
Discussion questions:
- What are the barriers preventing us from reducing greenhouse gas emissions and what can we do to overcome them?
- How can young people play an active role in shaping their country’s policies and decision-making processes?
- In your opinion, why is voting important? What impact can it have if young people abstain from voting?
Let’s reflect on past events and the consequences of not getting involved in politics. For instance, we can look at the Brexit referendum and similar cases where young people were less involved than older generations, leading to unfavourable outcomes. Take some time to research and share your insights.
Answer these questions and foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
Discussing The Energy Crisis
Andreas Rüdinger is an energy transition coordinator in France, IDDRI.
Discussion questions:
- What were the key contributing factors to the energy crisis and how have these factors impacted the way we produce and consume energy?
- In the aftermath of the energy crisis, what actions were taken and what insights were gained about the state of our energy systems?
- In addition to transitioning from coal to renewable energy sources, what other measures must be taken in order to successfully transition to sustainable energy systems?
- Why do you think it is often more challenging to implement changes during times of crisis, and what strategies might be effective in overcoming these obstacles?
Answer these questions and foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
Youth Takes Action
Golnoosh Mir Moghtadaei, not only works at Enertime, but is also the representative of YES-Europe, a youth-led organisation whose mission is to catalyze the energy transition. We invite students to search for youth-led organisations at their local or national levels. Choose one or two that you find most interesting and consider the following questions:
- Why would this organisation come to be in the first place? What issue does it try to address?
- Would you want to join this organisation? Why or why not?
- How might you be able to support this organization, even if you are not able to join it as a member?
- To what extent do you believe this youth-led organization has been successful in achieving its goals, and how has its youth-led nature contributed to this success?
Answer these questions and foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
Feeding the World
The Default Food Option
Emma Heiling is the Founder & CEO of ClimaTalk, a youth-led non-profit organisation demystifying climate policy and empowering young people in the fight for climate action.
Activity: What Is My Default Option?
Complete the activity, foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
Responsible Consumer Theory of Change
Sébastien Treyer is Executive Director of IDDRI, a think tank which facilitates the transition towards sustainable development. Activity: Our Theory of Change
Activity: Our Theory of Change
Complete the activity, foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
Land Use
George Monbiot, author of “Regenesis: Feeding the World without Devouring the Planet”, is a columnist, filmmaker, and essayist. In this video, he emphasises the importance of sustainable land use. Organic farming offers environmental advantages when it comes to the quality of food or the use of fertilizers, but it does not fix the problem of extensive land use.
Activity: Organic Farming Case Study
Watch the Kurzgesagt – In A Nutshell video “Is Organic Farming Really Better? Healthy Food or Trendy Scam?” to better understand what George Monbiot talked about.
Complete the activity, foster a class discussion and/orpitch your story!
Healthy Soils
George Monbiot, author of “Regenesis: Feeding the World without Devouring the Planet”, is a columnist, filmmaker, and essayist.
The activities below can engage students in hands-on learning, foster scientific inquiry, and raise awareness about the critical role of soil in our environment.
Read the News Decoder article “Buried underpants and tea bags help scientists evaluate soil” and discuss with the classroom:
- Why are researchers asking Swiss citizens to bury underwear and tea bags?
- Why is the quality of soil in many regions of the world deteriorating?
- What is the connection between soil and climate change?
Activity: Teabag Index
Activity: Soils Debate
Complete the activity, foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
Eco Economy
Is 1.5 Possible?
Marlowe Hood is Senior Editor at Agence France-Presse, covering science, the environment, and the climate crisis.
To grasp the topic more holistically, be sure to check out the News Decoder article “Broken climate vows: Is it good to keep setting deadlines?”
Activity: Artistic Expression for below 1.5-Degree World
Objective: Engage students in exploring the topic of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius through artistic expression. Encourage creativity and emotional engagement with the subject matter. By incorporating artistic expression into the discussion on limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, students can engage with the topic in a unique and emotional way. Art has the power to communicate complex ideas, evoke empathy, and inspire change, making it an effective medium for raising awareness and fostering meaningful conversations about climate change and sustainability.
Complete the activity, foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
What Comes After Capitalism?
Juan Pablo Arellano is a former content director at ClimateScience, specializing in creating accessible and trustworthy content on climate change solutions. He studied economics and environmental science at university and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in regrowth.
Learn more about the topic by reading the News Decoder article “Decoder: Love of economic growth can hinder climate action.”
Activity: Exploring Degrowth Economics
By engaging in this activity, students will gain a deeper understanding of degrowth economics and its potential as an alternative economic model. It will foster critical thinking, research skills, and meaningful discussions about sustainable and equitable solutions to global challenges.
Objective: Engage students in understanding the concept of degrowth economics and its implications for sustainability and well-being. Encourage critical thinking and discussion about alternative economic models.
Complete the activity, foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!