Classroom-ready resources support learning about climate change to understand local impacts and generate action.
Overview
Climate impacts are seen globally and locally. In this region, we’ve been taking action for many years, but we need to do more. Metro Vancouver has set a goal for our region to be carbon-neutral by 2050, with interim emissions targets for 2030. We’re taking action now.
Climate 2050 provides guidance for the region to effectively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and prepare our communities for change, transitioning our region to a low carbon future. Metro Vancouver tracks GHG emissions from a range of sources, including our vehicles, buildings we live and study in, and industry.
The
Climate Literacy in Metro Vancouver self-directed free learning program provides a series of self-directed learning modules to support learning about climate change.
Curriculum connections
Climate change can be explored through the big ideas and core content at various grades in the BC K-12 curriculum, from simpler explorations at the Elementary level to more complex inquiries during the Secondary years.
| K-12 Curriculum Connections – Climate Change | https://metrovancouver.org/school-programs/Documents/k-12-curriculum-connections-climate-change.pdf, Download K-12 Curriculum Map – Climate Change | K-12 Curriculum Connections – Climate Change | |
| K-12 Curriculum Connections – Air Quality | https://metrovancouver.org/school-programs/Documents/k-12-curriculum-connections-air-quality.pdf, K-12 Curriculum Connections – Air Quality | K-12 Curriculum Connections – Air Quality | |
Inquiry spark activities
Our backyard GHGs: what emission sources in our region contribute to climate change?
What is climate change and why is it happening? How do human activities that emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) in our region contribute to climate change? What does it mean to be carbon neutral? How can each of us help? This activity explores the major sources of GHG emissions in Metro Vancouver and encourages students to think and talk about climate–friendly choices.
| Download Our Backyard GHGs | Climate Change Inquiry Spark 1 | https://metrovancouver.org/school-programs/Documents/k-12-inquiry-spark-cc-our-backyard.pdf, Our Backyard GHGs: what emission sources in our region contribute to climate change? Climate Change Inquiry Spark 1 | Download Our Backyard GHGs | Climate Change Inquiry Spark 1 | |
| Do This Inquiry Spark Online! | https://metrovancouver.org/includes/sparkactivity/climatechange/index.html, Our Backyard GHGs: What Emission Sources in our Region Contribute to Climate Change Inquiry Spark Online Activity | Do This Inquiry Spark Online! | |
Picture this! Exploring the impacts of climate change in Metro Vancouver
The impacts of climate change are already evident in our region, and will continue to affect our communities and ecosystems in the years ahead. This activity aims to provoke student thinking and questions about the impacts and implications of climate change in our region through the use of compelling images and climate projections found in the Metro Vancouver Climate 2050 Framework.
| Download Picture This | Climate Change Inquiry Spark 2 | https://metrovancouver.org/school-programs/Documents/k-12-inquiry-spark-cc-picture.pdf, Picture This Exploring The Impacts of Climate Change in Metro Vancouver | Climate Change Inquiry Spark 2 | Download Picture This | Climate Change Inquiry Spark 2 | |
Climate change and healthy local ecosystems: what’s the relationship?
How does the health of ecosystems in our region impact climate change? How does climate change impact the health of local ecosystems? This activity explores the important relationships between the health of ecosystems and climate change to help us better understand why and how we might care for nature.
Activity ideas
These brief activity ideas can be adapted into more fulsome activities to guide learner inquiry.
| Nature's Thermometer | Nature's Thermometer | <div class="ExternalClass57DD82CAFAE94DA48EC224DEFBF141CD"><strong>Core Question:</strong> What evidence tells us that climate change is happening?
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<strong>Overview:</strong> How do we know climate change is happening on Earth? Brainstorm and make a web or research evidence that tells us climate change is happening globally, regionally, and locally. One line of evidence is that glaciers around the world are shrinking. Watch the video
<a href="/media-room/video/325045311" title="Video - Coquitlam Glacier Ten Years Later">Coquitlam Glacier Ten Years Later</a> that explores the last surviving glacier in the Metro Vancouver region. How are changes in glaciers related to climate? What impact can these changes have on our region? What other evidence exists of climate change happening in our region?</p>
</div> |
| Our Connections to Climate | Our Connections to Climate | <div class="ExternalClassFF40FC61886D43F0ABF0BDECC4491F06"><p><strong>Core Question:</strong> How is climate change connected to everything we do?</p><p>
<strong>Overview:</strong> Review the
<a href="/school-programs/Documents/K-12ClimateChangePhotoSet.pdf" target="_blank">Climate Change and You</a> images of products, services and activities we make choices about daily. Randomly, select one photo and choose a product found in the image. Think about what it’s made of, how it was made, how it was moved, and what happens after its use, and identify as many climate change connections as possible. Make a web or map of these connections. How might you explain the connections between our daily choices and climate change to younger students? How could you link these climate change connections to our daily water, waste and air quality choices? Share your ideas and the image you explored with others using a method/platform of your choosing.<br></p></div> |
| Climate 2050: What issues do you care about? | Climate 2050: What issues do you care about? | <div class="ExternalClass3B0B28CF1D314862A2E154E7110E2FCA"><p><strong>Core Question:</strong> What are we doing about climate change in Metro Vancouver?</p><p>
<strong>Overview:</strong> What do you think is the most important priority when it comes to climate change and our collective future? Discuss with a partner or small group and make a list of issues related to climate change that you think are important. Explore the
<a href="/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050" title="Climate 2050">Climate 2050</a> website to learn more about our efforts to plan for the future. What are the ten
<a href="/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities" title="Regional Priorities">Regional Priorities</a>? Why are they important? Compare your list of issues with the Regional Priorities. Are there other priorities you thought of that are not identified? Choose one of the Regional Priorities and conduct further research. Consider the following questions to guide your inquiry:</p><ol type="a"><li>How is climate change impacting this priority area?</li><li>What are the implications of these changes on the natural and built environment?</li><li>How do these changes impact people?</li><li>What climate actions are connected with these priorities?</li><li>Who is responsible for leading these climate actions? </li><li>What can you do to help?<br></li></ol></div> |
Learn more
Where can you go to learn more about climate change in Metro Vancouver?