Simulation of international negotiations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

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Simulation of international negotiations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
https://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/climatechange/activities/15155.html

David Hastings, Eckerd College , From the On the Cutting Edge activity collection

In this activity, students engage in a simulation of the international negotiation process in order to convey how the international community is responding to climate change. Participants learn firsthand about the interests of different countries and the range of policy responses to mitigate future climate change.

Activity takes four class periods plus homework assignments.

Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»

See how this Activity supports the Next Generation Science Standards»

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High School

Performance Expectations: 2

HS-ESS3-5: Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth systems.

HS-ETS1-3: Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 3

HS-ESS3.A2: All forms of energy production and other resource extraction have associated economic, social, environmental, and geopolitical costs and risks as well as benefits. New technologies and social regulations can change the balance of these factors.

HS-ESS3.D1: Though the magnitudes of human impacts are greater than they have ever been, so too are human abilities to model, predict, and manage current and future impacts.

HS-ETS1.B1: When evaluating solutions, it is important to take into account a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, and to consider social, cultural, and environmental impacts.

Cross Cutting Concepts: 2

Cause and effect, Stability and Change

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Science and Engineering Practices: 6

Asking Questions and Defining Problems, Analyzing and Interpreting Data, Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions, Engaging in Argument from Evidence, Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

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HS-P1.2: ask questions that arise from examining models or a theory, to clarify and/or seek additional information and relationships.

HS-P1.7: Ask and/or evaluate questions that challenge the premise(s) of an argument, the interpretation of a data set, or the suitability of a design.

HS-P4.3: Consider limitations of data analysis (e.g., measurement error, sample selection) when analyzing and interpreting data

HS-P6.5: Design, evaluate, and/or refine a solution to a complex real-world problem, based on scientific knowledge, student-generated sources of evidence, prioritized criteria, and tradeoff considerations.

HS-P7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence

HS-P8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Grade Level

Climate Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Energy Literacy

This Activity builds on the following concepts of Energy Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Excellence in Environmental Education Guidelines

4. Personal and Civic Responsibility:A) Understanding societal values and principles
Other materials addressing:
A) Understanding societal values and principles.

4. Personal and Civic Responsibility:B) Recognizing citizens' rightrs and responsiblities
Other materials addressing:
B) Recognizing citizens' rightrs and responsiblities.

2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.3 Humans and Their Societies:A) Individuals and groups
Other materials addressing:
A) Individuals and groups.

2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.3 Humans and Their Societies:B) Culture
Other materials addressing:
B) Culture.

2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.3 Humans and Their Societies:C) Political and economic systems
Other materials addressing:
C) Political and economic systems.

2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.3 Humans and Their Societies:D) Global Connections
Other materials addressing:
D) Global Connections.

2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.3 Humans and Their Societies:E) Change and conflict
Other materials addressing:
E) Change and conflict.

Notes From Our Reviewers The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

Teaching Tips

In the overview lecture about the current status of global climate change negotiations, educator should supplement with most recent developments and examples of summits.
Showing a video of an international negotiation might be a nice wrap-up for the course module.
Update the worksheet with the most up-to-date resources; a lot of the relevant information can be found here: http://unfccc.int/.
High school educators may want to have groups of students work together to represent a nation.

About the Content

Activity prompts students to do their own research about the current status of climate change negotiations and standpoints. Some examples are out of date (2006), but this is irrelevant since the activity itself centers on current research. However, instructor may want to update the instructions and replace old examples with recent ones.
Activity may reveal misconceptions about energy use and policy among learners and provide educator with chance to correct them.
Provides very detailed and clear instructions and sources for supplemental information URLs and a book list. To get the most recent information, use the provided links to update the information.
Comment from expert scientist: relies on top science at the time of the associated COP (COP12)

About the Pedagogy

Engaging activity that allows students to explore viewpoints and perspectives that may be different than their own.
Students of different learning styles will be engaged with the research of information, report writing, negotiating and presenting of materials.
Activity leans heavily on independent research by students.
Important emphasis in effective oral communication and persuasion.

Technical Details/Ease of Use

All material is provided; well-structured, detailed materials available.

Entered the Collection: April 2012 | Last Reviewed: January 2025

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