The Need for Climate Innovation
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Provided by: OER Project|Published on: October 23, 2025
Lesson PlansScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This lesson plan from OER Project Climate introduces students to climate innovation and guides them to examine the solutions we already have and the innovations still needed to meet goals for 1.5°C of warming.
- Students will read a student-friendly article, brainstorm and compare solutions, watch a video examining the need for innovators, and research one innovation’s promise, status, barriers, and policy levers, culminating in reasoned advocacy about where to focus efforts.
Subjects: Engineering
Authors: OER Project: Climate
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The resource combines a clear article and ready-to-use activities that build from concept introduction to independent research and argumentation.
- The module emphasizes real-world trade-offs and equity, helping students connect mitigation and adaptation decisions to societal impacts.
Prerequisites
- Students should have basic familiarity with greenhouse gases, mitigation vs. adaptation, and common energy technologies.
- To access the Teaching Guide and other materials for this lesson, teachers can create a free account. However, an account is not necessary for students accessing the module.
Differentiation & Implementation
- To build students' confidence before whole-group discussion, teachers can use short think-pair-share prompts to scaffold claims before whole-class discussion.
- Teachers can prepare choice boards for research topics for innovations, such as hydrogen, advanced biofuels, zero-carbon cement/steel, grid modernization, and carbon removal.
- Teachers can use this module to make connections to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 13, Climate Action, and the goals related to clean energy, infrastructure, and health. For resources to teach about this or the other SDGs, teachers can use this curriculum guide.
This resource focuses on climate solutions and the need for innovation to limit warming to 1.5°C. The included article is exceptionally well-sourced and cites several reports from IEA. Throughout, focus is given to the need for collaboration across disciplines to achieve climate goals. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
OER Project
OER Project equips teachers with free, innovative curricula and teaching tools that spark curiosity and inspire critical thinking in students. Our courses place student inquiry at the center of learning, and are designed to be adaptable across age levels and state standards.
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.
Learn about our review process →
