Schools in the UK play a significant role in both contributing to and combatting carbon emissions. According to recent studies, the education sector accounts for approximately 9% of total carbon emissions in the UK, with schools being a notable contributor. However, schools also present a unique opportunity to educate and inspire future generations to address climate change effectively.
As educators, we play a crucial role in shaping the understanding and actions of our students. Therefore, having an understanding of the climate crisis, and combining efforts of governors, teachers, facilities and students, is one of the most effective ways to have an impact on climate change. Explaining what carbon is and how it affects our planet means teachers can help students recognise the importance of reducing their carbon footprints and making sustainable choices.
What is Carbon?
Carbon is a collection of seven recognised greenhouse gases responsible for climate change. These gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. Although carbon dioxide is the most prevalent, carbon contains all the gases and their equivalent impacts. This is because carbon remains in the atmosphere for approximately 100 years, demanding timely action to reduce its impact.
So what do all the terms mean?
Net Zero: No longer adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Carbon Neutral: The state achieved when an entity that produces carbon emissions removes the same volume of carbon emissions from the Earth’s atmosphere.
Carbon Negative: The reduction of an entity’s carbon footprint to less than neutral, so that the entity has a net effect of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere rather than adding it.
Absolute Zero: The lowest limit of the thermodynamic temperature scale; a state at which the enthalpy and entropy of a cooled ideal gas reach their minimum value, taken as zero kelvin.
The Carbon Cycle describes how carbon interacts with the atmosphere and the planet. It involves the carbon exchange between the atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms. This continuous cycle maintains a balance in carbon levels. However, humans have disrupted this balance by releasing excess carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Engaging students using the carbon cycle
You can engage students in discussions and interactive activities to illustrate the carbon cycle’s significance; here are some of the tasks you can implement:
- Teach students that carbon is naturally recycled through the air, plants, animals, and oceans whilst explaining how humans disrupt this cycle by releasing excess carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through transport, electricity, deforestation and building.
- Discuss simple steps students can take to reduce their carbon footprint, such as conserving energy by turning off lights and electronics when leaving classrooms, using public transportation, carpooling, cycling or walking to school and recycling. We have a free Sustainable Travel Challenge available on our website.
- Engage students in calculating their carbon footprints by tracking their energy consumption at home or school, transportation habits, and waste management practices. Help them understand the impact of their choices and what they can do to improve; a great site for this is WWF Carbon Footprint Calculator.
- Encourage students to adopt sustainable habits, such as using reusable water bottles and lunch containers, planting trees or gardens, and supporting local food sources. Highlight the importance of conserving resources through our Fox’s Waste Adventure Book.
- Teach students about renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Discuss their benefits and encourage discussions on how sustainable energy choices can reduce carbon emissions.
- Arrange school trips to renewable energy facilities, recycling plants, or local environmental organisations. You can invite a member of the Climate Education team to visit your school or arrange a webinar for teachers by contacting us.
- Conduct experiments, such as building terrariums or composting systems, to demonstrate the carbon cycle. This helps students visualise and understand the concept better whilst also creating a fun activity to keep track of.
- Encourage student leaders to take their knowledge beyond the classroom by organising campaigns or participating in community clean-up events. Students and teachers getting hands-on while outside their comfort zone can be a great way to learn! Our parent charity, PECT, has plenty of volunteering opportunities available here.
- Stay updated on the latest carbon cycle and climate change information. Incorporate new findings into lessons, encourage discussions, and adapt teaching methods to engage students effectively. We provide free resources at Climate Education for your benefit, with more available through our Membership Packages.
So why not use the ideas above to get started, check out our other resources, and sign up to Climate Education to benefit from funding information, training opportunities and your own Action Plan.
