Learning Objectives

Lesson One: The Carbon Cycle Pages
Students will be able to explain the global carbon budget, sinks, and sources.
Students will understand what happens when sinks can’t keep up with rising emissions.

Lesson Two: Climate Targets Pages
Students will be able to understand different views regarding where society should aim for target global atmospheric carbon emissions and what the best science says.

Lesson Three: New Technologies Pages
Students will understand the various roles technology can/should play in the effort to stabilize climate.
Students will determine whether we can meet climate goals without new technologies.

Lesson Four: Stabilizing Emissions Pages
Students will explore the now ubiquitous concept of “stabilization wedges” through a game developed by Dr. Roberta Hotinski as part of the Carbon Mitigation Initiative.

Lesson Five: Carbon Cap & Trade Pages
Students will understand the basics of a cap and trade system.
Students will be able to explain and
discuss why it is a favorite policy choice for climate negotiators.

Lesson Six: Carbon Tax Pages
Students will understand the basics of a carbon tax system.
Students will be able to explain and discuss its advantages and disadvantages when compared with cap and trade.

Lesson Seven: International Climate Negotiations Pages
Students will explore how the individual situations of countries influence their ideas of equity.
Students will be able to explain how the concerns of developed countries differ from those of
developing countries.

Lesson Eight: Writing a Position Statement on Climate Change
Students will learn what makes a powerful letter, how to craft one, and who are the key decision
makers to whom letters can be addressed.