CFR Education: Solar Geoengineering Simulation
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Provided by: Council on Foreign Relations|Published on: September 15, 2023
Articles/WebsitesScientist Reviewed
9101112AP
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Synopsis
- This article discusses the merits and drawbacks of solar geoengineering as a possible solution to global warming and is accompanied by guidelines for a classroom discussion.
- After reading about what solar geoengineering is, what needs to be done for it to be effective, and its downfalls, students can choose one of three provided stances and take part in a discussion or debate.
Subjects: Social Studies, English Language Arts, Engineering
Authors: CFR Education
Region: North America, United States, Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- In the Pop-Up Case Guidelines, there are many useful suggestions for implementing discussions.
- This resource does an excellent job of informing students about real environmental policy in a way that is easy to understand.
Additional Prerequisites
- If you will be discussing the policy options using an NSC simulation, it may help for students to see one in action, before participating.
- Students may need the terms solar geoengineering, carbon-capture technology, decarbonizing, stopgap, unilaterally, contentious, and others defined prior to reading the article.
Differentiation
- Either individually or as a class, students can create a list of the costs and benefits associated with solar geoengineering.
- Language arts students can further research solar geoengineering, choose one of the three stances provided, and write a persuasive essay or letter to the government about their chosen stance.
- Students can read the full article on the right of this Pop-Up Case to extend learning.
- Have students consider the effects of solar geoengineering on ecosystems, the services they provide to humanity and the world, and the risks that are involved with altering these globally connected systems.
This article introduces students to solar geoengineering and has them think about, and potentially debate, whether the US should pursue solar geoengineering. This article does a nice job explaining both the pros and cons of geoengineering, as well as highlighting that no matter what is chosen, climate change will still be an issue. This article and activity is a great way to allow students to come to their own conclusions based on the information provided. The article does touch on a lot of related climate and climate change topics, so students have the ability to connect this lesson to more climate change and weather topics. The webpage also includes a handout that further explains how to use the article as a class activity and includes other resources. The information presented is accurate and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
CFR Education from the Council on Foreign Relations
CFR Education provides accurate, accessible, authoritative resources that build the knowledge, skills, and perspective high school and higher education students need to understand and engage with today’s most pressing global issues.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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