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Description
This inquiry-focused activity explores the issue of climate change denial, what lies behind it, the danger it poses and what might be done to combat it. Students will:
- share personal experiences involving denial and explore the idea of cognitive dissonance.
- participate in a group activity to examine some of the arguments used to deny the reality and seriousness of anthropogenic climate change.
- consider reasons why one would hold these views in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
- interview local residents to sample views on climate change in their neighbourhoods.
- consider best steps to deal with climate change denial.
General Assessment
What skills does this resource explicitly teach?
- active listening
- working cooperatively
- building consensus
Strengths
- does an excellent job connecting the issue to the students' own experiences.
- emphasis is placed on students clarifying and expressing their own values and perspectives
- concludes with a focus on solutions
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This activity will provide insight into any study of anthropogenic climate change, particularly when discussing solutions.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science for Citizens 11:Scientific processes and knowledge inform our decisions and impact our daily lives
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Specialized Science 12: Climate change impacts biodiversity and ecosystem health
- Manitoba
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interdependence: Atlantic Canada in the Global Community: Environment in the Global Community
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 431A: Earth and Space Science, Weather Systems
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science & Technology: The Earth and Space
- Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 10: Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Psychology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Psychology 20: How Do We Make Sense of Our World?
- Yukon Territory
Themes Addressed
Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)
- Climate Change
