Climate Change

Number of Hours: 6

 

Objective(s):

O1: Raise Awareness: Educate participants about the fundamental concepts of climate science, focusing on the causes and effects of climate change both globally and in their regions of origin. Specifically educate on Climate Justice; introduce the concept of climate justice, emphasizing how climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including many refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. Discuss the ethical dimensions of climate impacts and resource distribution. Also understand Environmental Displacement: Explore how climate change contributes to displacement and migration. Discuss case studies where environmental factors have forced individuals or communities to relocate. Help participants understand the impact of climate change on the environment, economies, and communities, emphasizing the specific challenges faced by vulnerable populations. Inform about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their connection to climate change mitigation initiatives.

O2: Promote Critical Thinking: Encourage participants to think critically about socio-economic and environmental impacts of climate change, fostering a deeper understanding of how these changes affect individual and community life.

O3: Skill Development: Equip participants with practical skills and knowledge to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, including sustainable practices, energy conservation, and the use of renewable resources.

O4: Practical Application of Knowledge: Engage participants in role-playing scenarios where they represent different sectors such as small industrial units, urban transportation authorities, and waste management companies. Encourage understanding of how various industries, economic sectors, countries and groups of people contribute to climate change and explore sector-specific mitigation strategies.

O5: Community Engagement: Motivate participants to engage in community-oriented activities that address climate change, empowering them to be proactive in their local environments.

O6: Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity: Design course materials and deliver content in a way that is culturally sensitive and inclusive, ensuring that language and examples are accessible and relevant to the participants’ experiences and backgrounds, as well as limitations.

O7: Encourage Action: Inspire participants to take actionable steps towards combating climate change in their daily lives and within their communities, including simple sustainable practices and advocacy, as well as fight for climate justice.

O9: Facilitate Networking and Support: Create opportunities for participants to connect with local environmental groups, governmental agencies, and NGOs focused on climate action, thereby building support networks for continued engagement.

 

These objectives aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of climate change, its broader social and ethical implications, and practical ways to address it, all through the lens of climate justice. This approach acknowledges the particular sensitivities and challenges faced by refugees and migrants, empowering them with knowledge and tools to advocate for and contribute to sustainable solutions.

 

 

Course Outline:

The course will be structured according to the following sections:

Section 1 (45 min): Introductory lecture on basic climate change concepts.

Section 2 (30 min): Single User ROLe playing GAME (ROLGame-1) – BEFORE

Section 3 (2 h): Group-based ROLe playing GAME (ROLGame-Group).

Break (30 min)

Section 4 (1 h & 15 min): Roundtable Discussion and Consensus Building on Climate Solutions.

Section 5 (30 min): Single User ROLe playing GAME (ROLGame-1) – AFTER

Section 6 (30 min): Digital story telling.

 

 

Learning Outcomes:

The following learning outcomes (LOs) are designed to ensure that participants not only gain a thorough understanding of climate change and its broader implications but also feel empowered to take action and influence others in their communities and networks.

 

LO1: Understand Fundamental Climate Science Concepts: Gain a basic understanding of climate science, including the greenhouse effect, climate change mechanisms, and extreme weather events. Recognize the global and local impacts of climate change, with specific examples like floods in Pakistan and droughts in Africa.

LO2: Comprehend Climate Justice and Environmental Displacement: Understand the concept of climate justice and its relevance to addressing global inequities related to climate impacts. Identify the causes and consequences of environmental displacement, discussing real-life scenarios and their relation to climate change.

LO3: Apply Knowledge to Personal and Community Actions: Use tools like the footprint calculator to assess personal environmental impacts and understand how lifestyle changes can reduce one’s carbon footprint. Develop practical skills in sustainable practices, energy conservation, and resource management.

LO4: Engage in Collaborative Problem Solving: Participate effectively in role-playing games that simulate economic and environmental scenarios, contributing to group discussions and solution development. Work collaboratively in diverse groups to propose and refine solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change on various sectors.

LO5: Develop Critical Thinking and Negotiation Skills: Critically evaluate different perspectives and impacts of climate change during group discussions and role-playing activities. Engage in negotiations during the roundtable discussions to reach consensus on sustainable solutions, understanding the need for compromise and strategic thinking.

LO6: Promote Advocacy and Community Involvement: Motivate proactive involvement in local and global climate action initiatives. Equip participants with the knowledge and tools to advocate for climate justice and participate in community outreach and education.

LO7: Create and Share Personal Climate Stories: Develop the ability to articulate personal experiences with climate change and proposed solutions through storytelling, enhancing communication skills. Share stories that can inspire others and raise awareness within and beyond the course.

 

Practical Activities (description and scheduling):

STEAM activities (see full descriptions above):

Section 1 (45 min): Brief Lecture on basic climate change concepts

Section 2 (30 min): ROLGame-1 BEFORE

Section 3 (2 h): ROLGame-Group)

Break (30 min)

Section 4 (1 h and 15 min): Roundtable Discussion and Consensus Building on Climate Solutions.

Section 5 (30 min): ROLGame-1 AFTER

Section 6 (30 min): Digital story telling.

Laboratory Session(s): None

 

Exact schedule:

09:00-09:30: Gathering, registration, introduction of the course and the teachers, facilitators and mentors/volunteers.

09:30-10:15: S1-Brief lecture on basic climate change concepts

10:15-10:45: S2-ROLGame-1 BEFORE

10:45-12:45: S3-ROLGame-Group

12:45-13:15: Break (snacks and refreshment drinks)

13:15-15:00: S5-Roundtable Discussion and Consensus Building on Climate Change

15:00-15:30: S6-Story telling

Learning Tools and Resources:

  • Presentation with slides using a lot of visual aids, e.g. infographics, charts, maps, multimedia (images and videos)
  • Interactive tools 1: global footprint calculator
  • Interactive tool 2: group role-playing kit; scenarios and role cards: pre-prepared materials that outline the roles, objectives, and background information for each participant in role-playing activities
  • Guidelines for Teachers, facilitators, mentors and volunteers: Instructions on how to guide discussions and manage the role-play dynamics to ensure constructive outcomes.

        Material needed:

  • Laptop/PC
  • Projector
  • Art supplies: at least 50 markers and large A0 papers.
  • Stationery: At least 50 pens and/or markers and 3 different coloured post-it packs

By incorporating these diverse tools and materials, we can see to different learning styles and enhance the interactive and participatory aspects of the course. This approach not only supports knowledge acquisition but also improve skills in communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.

 

 

Teaching and Learning Methods:

  • Brief lecture: Use for delivering compact, essential knowledge about climate change, including scientific basics, climate justice, and impacts.
  • Online personal scientific tool/platform: a global footprint calculator that can be used as a trial-and-error testing tool for conclusion making and reverse engineering without prior experience or specialized knowledge
  • Experiential learning: Role-playing game (RPGs): Simulate real-life scenarios to help participants understand the roles different stakeholders play in climate policy and environmental management.
  • Group work and collaborative projects: team assignments (role-playing groups) promote teamwork on projects that simulate real-world problem-solving and innovation in climate solutions.
  • Problem-Based Learning (PBL): Analyze specific instances of climate-related challenges and engage participants in developing solutions based on the studied scenarios (case studies), forwarding critical thinking.
  • Digital tools: Integrate online simulations, footprint calculators, and other interactive tools to enrich understanding and engagement.
  • Discussion and reflection: Facilitate structured roundtable-type discussions where everyone is encouraged to contribute, promoting a deeper understanding through dialogue and consensus-building.
  • Multicultural education: Incorporate examples and case studies that are relevant to the diverse backgrounds of the participants.

By integrating these diverse teaching and learning methods, the course can effectively address the learning needs of a varied group of participants, making the complex issue of climate change more accessible and actionable. This approach not only facilitates knowledge acquisition but also empowers participants to apply what they’ve learned in practical, impactful ways.

 

Individual/Group Work: Both, please see the above descriptions