Climate Change:
Geoengineering
Vocabulary: geoengineering, climate change, CO2, reflect, absorb, fertiliser, phytoplankton, renewable energy
Grammar: may, might, could (modal verbs of possibility)
Short video: What is geoengineering?
Critical thinking / discussion: Choose which project you would like to do, and give reasons for your choice.
Debate: We could focus on everyday changes like reducing carbon emissions rather than geoengineering projects.
Introduce yourself and
where you come from.
Ask your classmate their
name and a question you'd
like to know about them.
Choose someone to
go next!
Getting to know you!
What do you know?
Have you
heard of geoengineering?
Let's watch this video to learn
about it!
Let's watch!
Geoengineering [is] a way to counteract the dangers of manmade climate change. We could suck up all the CO2 with giant vacuums, or plant massive numbers of trees all over the world, or we could inject aerosols into the upper atmosphere. When volcanoes erupt, they launch millions
of tonnes of aerosols into the atmosphere that reflect sunlight back into space.
counteract = fight
suck up = remove
CO2 = carbon dioxide, a gas
inject = put into
atmosphere = the air that surrounds the earth
aerosols = tiny drops that hang
in the air
reflect = bounce off
counteract
suck up
CO2
aerosols
reflect
atmosphere
inject
What is
geoengineering?
What examples
of geoengineering
did you see in the
video?
Answer the questions!
Guess the word!
climate change
geology
geoengineering
The use of technology to change the Earth's environment to help stop climate change.
geoengineering
A gas in the air. If there is too much of it, it can cause the Earth to heat up.
Guess the word!
air
CO2
oxygen
CO2
To bounce back light or heat.
Guess the word!
reflect
energy
repair
reflect
To take in or soak up.
Guess the word!
throw
give off
absorb
absorb
Food that is added to soil or water to help plants grow.
Guess the word!
fertiliser
plant pot
watering can
fertiliser
Tiny plants in the ocean that float in the water and make food using sunlight.
phytoplankton
shrimp
sea grass
phytoplankton
Guess the word!
Long-term changes
to Earth's temperature
and normal weather patterns.
Guess the word!
climate change
extreme weather
space
climate change
Energy that comes from natural sources and does not run out, like sunlight, wind, and water.
Guess the word!
recycle
fossil fuels
renewable energy
renewable energy
Geoengineering project: space mirrors
How could space mirrors help to stop climate change?
What might be some problems with using space mirrors?
Space mirrors are large mirrors put in space to reflect some of the sun's rays away from Earth.
Sea fertiliser involves adding food for plants into the sea. This encourages tiny plants called phytoplankton to grow.
Geoengineering project: sea fertiliser
How might putting fertiliser in the sea help to stop climate change?
What could be some benefits of using sea fertiliser?
How difficult would the project be?
How much money
could it cost?
What might be the benefits of the project?
How long could it take to see the benefits?
space
mirrors
sea
fertiliser
You have been given money for a geoengineering project. Choose which project you would like to do, and give reasons for your choice.
I come from the sun, wind, and rain, I’m clean and green, and cause no pain. What am I?
I’m a planet, full of life and wonder. I’m the third from the sun, and have oceans and thunder. What am I?
Riddle time!
I reflect sunlight away, high up in space I stay. What am I?
I’m a tiny plant in the sea, absorbing carbon happily. What am I?
I am a gas in the air, causing climate change everywhere. What am I?
I’m a big ball in the sky, bright and hot. When I shine, I can make plants grow a lot. What am I?
Let's brainstorm!
renewable energy
public transport
make homes warmer
eat less meat
reduce waste
Some people don't think
geoengineering projects are necessary and that we can stop climate change by making smaller everyday changes.
What everyday changes could we make to stop climate change?
We could focus on everyday changes and not geoengineering projects to help solve climate change.
Yes
No
We could focus on everyday changes and not geoengineering projects to help solve climate change.
Yes
No
How long
could it take?
money?
difficult/easy
to do?
How quickly could we see a change?
environmental effects?
Let's chat!
Say which geoengineering idea you like best.
Say which of your classmates had great ideas.
Say what you will do to help climate change.
Say what you
found interesting.
Say if your thoughts on geoengineering changed.
Say something
you learned.
Yes
No
Was the lesson too difficult?
Did you enjoy today's lesson?
See you again soon. Goodbye!
Don't forget to check out the activity book!
What do you think about ... ?
Solar mirrors can reflect the sun's rays and cool the planet. What other things might we try?
Do you have any
cool ideas?
clouds that
reflect light
a space
disco ball
shiny roofs
on houses
air balloons
filled with
mirrors
