Climate Change, Economics and Power

This Transition Year resource addresses some of the core underlying drivers of climate change and biodiversity loss. Where many programmes focus on the difference that individuals can make to minimise their carbon footprint, the activities in the pack take a wider view, exploring the historic, economic and political dimensions of this urgent issue.

The intention is not to teach about the science of climate change; the resource assumes some prior knowledge and understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change, and will be particularly useful for students who wish to delve into the complexity of the issues at hand.

Through a series of participatory activities, students are supported to consider the colonial history of climate change and today's capitalist economic model. The pack takes a closer look at capitalist economic principles which drive climate change, such as the profit motive and externalities, the complex interactions and interdependence between factors which cause climate change, and introduces the idea of limits to growth. 

The students are also supported to consider some alternative economic models, with a short introduction to Doughnut economics, the degrowth movement, and principles of just transition.  

In keeping with GCE principles and the focus on taking action, there is also a selection of activities for students to reflect on what they have learned, think critically about strategies of climate action and activism, and examine how they can take effective action to help bring about change on the topics they have encountered. 

The resource in its entirety can be followed through in succession as part of an entire unit. Alternatively, activities can be taken, adapted, and used according to the needs and interests of your group.

 

Additional Resources for Teachers

Our education work in this area is evolving all the time.  As a complement to the above resource we are also making available additional materials intended to introduce and explore climate as a justice issue and to explore related economic justice questions.  

These activities have been developed by FJI to support teachers and students engaging in the Climate Action Short Course (Junior Cycle) and will have applications for schools engaging with the new Leaving Certificate Climate Action and Sustainable Development programme. They will also be of relevance to CSPE, History, Economics, Politics and Society and Transition Year. 

The materials are still in draft form, and have benefited from piloting and valuable feedback from teachers and young people in the Student Climate Action Network, as well as staff and PME students at University of Galway.  For those seeking more complexity, the Climate Economics and Power resource would be a good follow on. Other FJI resources on Doughnut Economics and Degrowth are also currently in development. 

You can view here below and you can download them for use and adaptation in your own work here.  Any feedback would be warmly welcomed.

 

This project has been undertaken with funding from Irish Aid’s WorldWise Global Schools. The ideas, opinions and comments therein are entirely the responsibility of its author(s) and do not necessarily represent or reflect WWGS and/or Irish Aid policy.