Dear Educator,
The United Nations’ annual climate conference, COP30, begins tomorrow in Brazil, where countries will meet to discuss progress on climate agreements.
Poised to be a test of multilateralism and the greater climate effort, COP30 presents the perfect opportunity to engage your students in real-time conversations around this critical issue. Not a climate or science expert? Don't worry. CFR Education offers a comprehensive suite of climate resources, including videos, readings, activities, and simulations, to support you regardless of the subject that you teach. In this newsletter, you’ll find resources to help you teach about the fundamentals of climate, as well as content that aligns with the COP30 agenda, such as: Happy learning,
Caroline Netchvolodoff Vice President, Education
Council on Foreign Relations |
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Looking for more foundational climate resources? This collection is a good place to start! |
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Climate change is a prime example of a global problem. Its effects do not respect national borders; therefore, dealing with it requires countries to work together. But working together is easier said than done. That is what makes climate change a collective action problem.
One way to address collective action problems is through international agreements, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which established the requirement for annual COP gatherings. Over the past 30 years, countries have collaborated to make numerous landmark commitments on climate change. However, like most efforts to spur sustainable climate action, the COP process has faced criticism for the non-binding nature of its commitments.
These resources can help explain why collective action and international agreements are necessary in the fight against climate change while also highlighting the difficulties leaders face: |
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Climate Classroom Activity and Simulation Introduce students to key themes within climate change studies and help them begin the work of examining and dismantling common misconceptions with this flexible classroom activity.
Brazil is home to the Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest, and the deforestation of that rainforest is a significant contributor to climate change. Use this simulation to allow your students to role-play the National Security Council (NSC) and help the president decide whether and how the United States should pressure Brazil to take action.
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At every COP, the goal is to develop solutions that help the world navigate the climate crisis.
This year, Brazil framed the conference as the COP of implementation and adaptation and has promoted the COP30 Action Agenda to support that framing. |
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Climate Curriculum Planning Guide |
Many of the crucial climate conversations at COP30 will connect to the Sustainable Development Goals, established by the United Nations in 2012. In this curriculum guide, created by SubjectToClimate in collaboration with CFR Education, teachers can access ready-to-use resources to help students explore global challenges and ways to take meaningful action.
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