Search for Resources
Spark Climate Conversations: Climate Justice in the Canadian Artic
Decoding Carbon Educator Resource
Secondary, Middle
Description
In this activity, through guided conversations, learners will identify ways that climate change is disproportionately affecting the livelihood of the Inuit in the Arctic. Through inquiry, learners will examine how climate change disproportionately affects Indigenous Peoples and identify ways of taking action to address how climate change disproportionately affects Indigenous Peoples.
This activity was created by consulting with Mihskakwan James Harper - a passionate Nehiyaw (Cree) man from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, located in Treaty 8 territory (northern Alberta). With an MSc. in Renewable Energy, he is dedicated to bringing solutions that empower communities with clean technologies, ensuring that the children of the future get to experience the gifts of the land as much as he did.
This resource is one of 14 activities in Green Learning’s Decoding Carbon - A Climate Policy Quest, which explores how policy is used to build a low-carbon future. The activities are grouped by topics. Teachers or students can do any resources independently or bundle them together to take action.
General Assessment
What skills does this resource explicitly teach?
Students have an opportunity to strengthen those skills associated with
- developing a hypothesis
- analyzing data
- articulating a perspective and
- presenting their findings
Strengths
While, there a considerable number of resources that focus on the causes and consequences of climate change, this particular resource provides students with a case study that moves the discussion from the abstract to the concrete by examining how climate change is affecting a particular community of people.
The many activities in the resource will engage students, while helping them better understand the interplay between the environmental, social and economic changes that are occurring in the Arctic because of climate change.
Recommendation of how and where to use it
The resource may be used as a case study on the affects of climate change.
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
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Explorations in Social Studies 11: Physical features and natural resources influence demographic patterns and population distribution (adapted from Human Geography
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 12: Human activities cause changes in the global climate system
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Specialized Science 12: Climate change impacts biodiversity and ecosystem health
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Comparative Cultures 12: Geographic and environmental factors influenced the development of agriculture, trade, and increasingly complex cultures
- Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.
- Physical Geography 12: Interactions between human activities and the atmosphere affect local and global weather and climate
- Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Geographic Issues of the 21 st Century: Food from the Land
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Citizenship and Sustainability:Area of Inquiry: Indigenous Peoples
- Global Issues
- New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 9 Ecosystem Dynamics: Learning and Living Sustainably
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Introduction to Environmental Science 120: An Overview of Environmental Science
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Canadian Geography 1202: Natural and Human Systems
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- World Geography 3200/3202: World Climate Patterns
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 3201: Human-Environment Interaction
- Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Norther Studies 10: Module 3: Northern Economy
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Experiential Science 20, Marine Systems: Habitats, Population Dynamics and Management
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Studies 35: Northern Climate
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Global Settlement: Patterns and Sustainability
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Issues in Canadian Geography (Academic): Interactions in the Physical Environment
- Issues in Canadian Geography (Academic): Liveable Communities
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science (Academic):Earth and Space Science: Climate Change
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Human Impact on the Environment
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Forces of Nature: Physical Processes and Disasters (Univ./College Prep.): The Physical Environment: Sustainability and Stewardship
- Introduction to Spacial Technologies: (Open):Using Spacial technologies to Support Sustainability and Stewardship
- Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.): Sustainability and Stewardship
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living in a Sustainable World (Workplace Prep.) Ecosystems and Human Activity
- The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship of Natural Resources
- The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Preparation): Human-Environment Interactions
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 621A: Environmental Challenges and Successes
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Native territory
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Contemporary World: Environment
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Contemporary World: Environment
- Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 20: Integrative Nature of Environmental Science
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Explorations in Social Studies 11: Physical features and natural resources influence demographic patterns and population distribution (adapted from Human Geography
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 12: Human activities cause changes in the global climate system
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Specialized Science 12: Climate change impacts biodiversity and ecosystem health
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.
- Physical Geography 12: Interactions between human activities and the atmosphere affect local and global weather and climate
Themes Addressed
Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)
- Climate Change
Ecosystems (1)
- Bioregionalism
Human Rights (1)
- Environmental Racism/Justice
Indigenous Knowledge (1)
- TEK -- Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Sustainability Education Principles
| Principle | Rating | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Consideration of Alternative Perspectives | Good | The resource uses an inquiry learning approach to examine how climate change is disproportionally affecting the livelihood of the Inuit in the Arctic. The Spiral Inquiry Model guides the students through a series of steps that first "sparks" the learners into thinking critically about a topic or question followed by other steps that include hypothesizing and planning, exploring and researching, analyzing and checking, and finally communicating and acting. |
Consideration of Alternative Perspectives:
| ||
| Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions | Very Good | Students are asked to reflect on how carbon intensive their province is with that of Nunavut; how climate change in Nunavut affects sea ice conditions and the movement, population, and distribution of various animals and fish; and how this relates to hunting and fishing and the livelihood of the Inuit, both of which are central to the Inuit culture. |
| Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions: Effectively addresses the environmental, economic and social dimensions of the issue(s) being explored.
| ||
| Respects Complexity | Good | The resource helps students recognize the interplay of various elements as they examine the impact of climate change on the Inuit. It links climate change to sea ice conditions in the North, it identifies the link between disappearing sea ice and fishing and hunting, it examines the link between fishing and hunting and the Inuit economic livelihood and food security, and it explores the connection between fishing and hunting and Inuit culture. Finally, it notes that others rather than the Inuit are largely responsible for climate change. |
| Respects Complexity: The complexity of the problems/issues being discussed is respected. | ||
| Acting on Learning | Good | Step 7, the final step in the resource, guides the students in considering what action they might take to spread awareness of what they have learned. Suggestions include personal initiatives to reduce one's carbon footprint, supporting local food security initiatives, using social media to share their learning and understandings. |
| Acting on Learning: Learning moves from understanding issues to working towards positive change — in personal lifestyle, in school, in the community, or for the planet
| ||
| Values Education | Good | A key issue addressed by the resource is the issue of responsibility - both collectively and individually. The other issue is fairness in sharing the consequences of our actions and that of others. |
| Values Education: Students are explicitly provided with opportunities to identify, clarify and express their own beliefs/values. | ||
| Empathy & Respect for Humans | Very Good | One of the outcomes identified by the resource is to have learners examine how climate change disproportionately affects Indigenous Peoples. They have not been major players in the causes of climate change but are dramatically affected by the consequences of that change. |
| Empathy & Respect for Humans: Empathy and respect are fostered for diverse groups of humans (including different genders, ethnic groups, sexual preferences, etc.). | ||
| Personal Affinity with Earth | Good | The traditional way of Inuit life provides students with an example of a people whose way of life is deeply connected to the natural world and how changes in that world create challenges for the continuation of that way of life. |
| Personal Affinity with Earth: Encourages a personal affinity with -the natural world.
| ||
| Locally-Focused Learning | Good | Climate change is a reality for all peoples. We all have a share in causing climate change and we all will share (although unequally) in feeling the consequences. One of the activities has students recognize the contribution that their province makes to climate change and asks them to compare their role with that of Nunuvut. |
| Locally-Focused Learning: Includes learning experiences that take advantage of issues/elements within the local community.
| ||
| Past, Present & Future | Good | The story of climate change in the North has three chapters - chapter one describes the traditional culture that has developed here, chapter two investigates the current challenges to that traditional way of life, and chapter three (yet to be written) will tell the story as to the success of the Inuit in meeting those challenges. |
| Past, Present & Future: Promotes an understanding of the past, a sense of the present, and a positive vision for the future. | ||
Pedagogical Approaches
| Principle | Rating | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Open-Ended Instruction | Good | The resource activities has students examine the impact of climate on the Inuit of the Arctic using a series of steps based on the principles of inquiry learning. Various prompts are used to spark a discussion on the issue, to answer hypothesis guiding questions, and to explore and analyze data. |
| Open-Ended Instruction
: Lessons are structured so that multiple/complex answers are possible; students are not steered toward one 'right' answer. | ||
| Integrated Learning | Good | An examination of climate change in the Arctic draws upon a number of disciplines. The unique landscape of the Arctic is central to understanding the consequences of climate change there (Geography). In examining the impact of climate change on the Inuit, students must consider the challenges it creates for maintaining the traditional livelihood of the North with its dependence on hunting and fishing and on food security (Economics). The possible loss of a traditional way of life is also one that has relevance for the study of culture and society (Social Studies). Finally it calls on the learner to consider the responsibility of the individual and the state (Civics, Political Science) |
| Integrated Learning: Learning brings together content and skills from more than one subject area
| ||
| Inquiry Learning | Good | The authors of the resource declare that they have adopted the principles of inquiry learning in developing the various activities included and they are right in making the claim. |
| Inquiry Learning: Learning is directed by questions, problems, or challenges that students work to address.
| ||
| Differentiated Instruction | Good | The resource is quite creative in adopting a variety of learning approaches. A video is used to provide introductory information. Relevant data is accessible online. A series of cards are used to have students develop hypotheses concerning wildlife and culture, explore issues related to sea ice, analyze the degree to which the data supports their hypotheses and act on their learning. |
| Differentiated Instruction: Activities address a range of student learning styles, abilities and readiness.
| ||
| Experiential Learning | Satisfactory | Given the nature of the topic, the resource is limited to providing learners with real life stories about Arctic life, online data from the UN and Health Canada, and news reports on Arctic developments. |
| Experiential Learning: Authentic learning experiences are provided
| ||
| Cooperative Learning | Good | A number of the activities invite students to work in groups to discuss and share share perspectives. Other activities take advantage of pair-share strategies and include groups presenting their findings to other groups. |
| Cooperative Learning: Group and cooperative learning strategies are a priority.
| ||
| Assessment & Evaluation | Good | The different activities allow the teacher to take the measure of student understanding (formative evaluation), while the Inquiry Cards completed by individual students provide a degree of summative evaluation. |
| Assessment & Evaluation: Tools are provided that help students and teachers to capture formative and summative information about students' learning and performance. These tools may include reflection questions, checklists, rubrics, etc. | ||
| Peer Teaching | Good | There are a number of opportunities for students to share hypotheses they have developed, data they have analyzed and conclusions they have reached. |
| Peer Teaching: Provides opportunities for students to actively present their knowledge and skills to peers and/or act as teachers and mentors.
| ||
| Case Studies | Good | Two separate videos provide a picture of the challenges faced by the Inuit as the sea ice disappears. The story about climate change in the Arctic is itself a case study that illustrates the challenges inherent with climate change. It is something of the canary in the coal mine. |
| Case Studies: Relevant case studies are included. Case studies are thorough descriptions of real events from real situations that students use to explore concepts in an authentic context. | ||
| Locus of Control | Good | Since the resource adopts the inquiry approach to learning, direction and the required information is provided by the teacher and the resource but the assigned activities allow the learners to control the findings or conclusions derived from their investigation and to determine how that might inform their actions. |
| Locus of Control: Meaningful opportunities are provided for students to choose elements of program content, the medium in which they wish to work, and/or to go deeper into a chosen issue. | ||
