The ripple effects

This sequence of activities helps learners understand the impacts of climate change. They'll empathise with non-human species through a panel debate where each learner takes on the role of a different species. Learners explore the impact of climate change on different communities around the world and reflect on the power of small actions.

Royal Meteorological Society climate content quality mark october 2023

Lesson plans

KS3

Citizenship

Geography

Preparation

What you need

internet access
speakers
pens or pencils
ThoughtBox Thought-Books or paper
information sheets for panel discussion

Location

Indoors

Resources

ThoughtBox panel discussion animal fact sheets.pdf 556.25 KB

ThoughtBox ripple effects slides.pptx 10.93 MB

Step by step

Download the slides to deliver the following session:

The Ripple Effects: Understand the impacts of climate change by empathising with non-human species through a panel debate where each student will take on a role. (30 minutes)
The Wider Impact: Understand the impacts of climate change in different communities around the world and other ripple effects through images and information. (20 minutes)
Eco-Empathy: Reflecting on ‘eco-anxiety’/‘eco-empathy’ and the power of small/individual actions so as to recognise the emotions that may have arisen in the lesson. (10 minutes)

Only got 45 minutes?

ThoughtBox recommends exploring the first section, one image from the second section in terms of impact on humans and non-humans, and the third section.

Only got 30 minutes?

ThoughtBox recommends exploring the second and third sections.

Curriculum links

This activity can be used to support curriculum knowledge and skill development in Citizenship and Geography, alongside enhancing nature education, with age appropriate adaptations.

What to try next