This interactive addresses the question if we can reduce CO2 emissions by 20% of 1990 levels and help avoid dangerous climate change? Users of this interactive can manipulate changes to various sources and uses (supply and demand) of energy with the goal of reducing C02 emissions in Great Britain by 80% in the year 2050.
Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»
Grade Level
Topics
Climate Literacy
This Simulation/Interactive builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
Energy Literacy
This Simulation/Interactive builds on the following concepts of Energy Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- Pair students to work through their efforts to meet the goal. Pairs can then share and compare their solutions, and discuss with whole class whether or not their solutions are realistic, given social, political and economic constraints.
- Educator may want to discuss how evolving green energies may become even more efficient in the future. Educator may want to supplement this with material about evolving green energies and efficiency.
- Reference background http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121217150421/http://decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/tackling/2050/2050.aspx
About the Science
- Resource focuses on the ways humans produce and consume energy, which impacts C02 levels in the atmosphere. Students experience how the United Kingdom is engaging the public in the choices and tradeoffs to make changes in the climate.
- Text boxes provided for each source and use present the current status of each in the UK, as well as benefits and drawbacks of increasing or decreasing each. Underlying assumptions behind connecting changes in emissions to changes in supply/demand are not explicit.
- Comments from expert scientist: The sliders allow for an understanding of the relative impact of each change in the supply and consumption of energy. Each energy production and consumption method is well explained in detail.
About the Pedagogy
- Interactive may not be completely straightforward - instructor may want to spend some time playing with the interactive prior to use. Results can be modified. Feedback is provided on the net sum of changes to energy supply and demand so that consequences of choices made are evident.
- Pop-up text provides guidance to use the tool. Reference below for additional.
- Resource illustrates that if we are going to meet C02 emission reduction goals, we need to take multiple strategies and approaches ("we can't rely on one thing"). The fact that this is frustrating is helpful for learning ("it isn't an easy problem to solve").