Teaching Climate Change: Key Topics and Activities

ByLG Hill Updated on

Climate change is shaping our world faster than ever. But for many educators, it can feel overwhelming to explain such a vast and sometimes complex topic to young people.

This guide breaks down the key topics to cover for students. We cover what each concept actually means, why it matters, along with some recommended activities to support the learning process. With each, a phrasing for different age groups is offered to help simplify the topics.

Learning Objectives to Target

Digital Art Image displaying a classroom scene, with students being taught about climate change and sustainability.

In order to cover the topic of climate change, you should aim to help students understand the following aspects:

  • Define key terms like greenhouse effect, global warming, and carbon footprint
  • Explain how human activity is driving climate change
  • Describe impacts of climate change around the world and in their own community
  • Identify actions individuals and communities can take
  • Feel motivated and empowered to be part of climate solutions

Guide Overview

This guide is set out as 5 recommended lesson topics, covering basic concepts through to applying an understanding of climate change in practice. For each of these lessons you will find:

  • An explanation of key concepts to cover
  • Activities to support student engagement
  • Suggested discussion Prompts

For each of the key concepts explained, we provided a suggested alternative explanations better suited to two age groups: ages 7-10 and ages 11-14.

Suggested activities are also broken down into these two age groups to help support you shape your learning and lesson plans.

Lesson 1: What is Climate Change?

Image of Earth horizon from space, with climate features visible.

To kick off, your first lesson should cover the basics of what climate and climate change really means, along with two effects that influence this change: the greenhouse effect and global warming.

Below are definitions of these key aspects, both for you and versions better suited to your students. Understanding these provides an essential foundation for understanding climate change.

Key Aspects to Cover

Distinguishing Between Climate vs. Weather

Climate is the average of weather over a long time (30+ years). For example, London’s climate is temperate, while the Sahara Desert’s climate is arid.

Weather is short-term: today’s rain or next week’s forecast.

  • Ages 7–10: “Weather is what happens outside today. Climate is what the weather is like over many years.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Weather means daily conditions; climate means long-term patterns in a region.”

What Does Climate Change Mean?

This means the long-term changes in the average weather patterns of Earth. Unlike a single storm or cold week, climate change refers to trends over decades or centuries.

  • Ages 7–10: “Climate change means the Earth is getting warmer over many years. This can change the weather and cause problems for animals and people.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Climate change is the long-term shift in temperatures and weather patterns, mostly caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels.”

The Greenhouse Effect:

This is a natural process that keeps our planet warm. The Sun’s energy reaches Earth, and some of it bounces back into space. Gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) trap part of this heat, like a blanket around the planet.

Without this effect, Earth would be too cold for life, but when too many greenhouse gases build up, they trap too much heat, causing global warming.

  • Ages 7–10: “Some gases act like a blanket around Earth. Too much blanket makes it too hot.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, making Earth warmer than it would be naturally.”

Global Warming

Global warming refers to the steady rise in Earth’s average temperature, mainly because of human activities that add heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere, increasing the greenhouse effect. This warming influences the Earth’s climate, causing change to take place.

  • Ages 7–10: “The world is heating up little by little each year.”
  • Ages 11–14: “A rise in Earth’s average temperature because greenhouse gases trap more heat.”

Learning Activities

Ages 7–10

  • Read a storybook (e.g., Climate Change and How We’ll Fix It by Alice Harman).
  • Do a “weather vs. climate” sorting game with picture cards.
  • Draw a picture of Earth with a warm blanket (greenhouse effect).

Ages 11–14

  • Watch a short video (e.g., NASA Climate Kids or BBC Bitesize).
  • Discuss historical climate data and examples.
  • Build a greenhouse jar experiment (CO₂ vs. normal air).

Discussion Prompts

What do you already know about Climate Change?

Why do you think people sometimes confuse weather with climate?

Lesson 2: Why Is the Climate Changing?

Image graphic displaying a face in silhouette, overlayed with an image of a natural landscape, representing thought about climate change.

In lesson 2, help students discover the main reasons why the climate is changing so quickly.

Look at how actions like burning fossil fuels, cutting down forests, and petrol/diesel cars put extra greenhouse gases into the air.

Link this to the prior lesson – highlighting that releasing these extra gases increases the greenhouse effect, leading to further global warming and, in turn, climate change.

Key Concepts to Explain

Fossil Fuels: What Are They & Why They Matter

Coal, oil, and natural gas formed from ancient plants and animals over millions of years. When burned for electricity, heat, and transport, they release greenhouse gases, particularly Carbon Dioxide (CO₂).

  • Ages 7–10: “Coal, oil, and gas that we dig up and burn for energy.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Energy sources formed over millions of years. Burning them releases CO₂.”

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

CO₂ is a colourless gas. It’s released when we burn fossil fuels or cut down trees.

CO₂ is the main greenhouse gas driving global warming on Earth.

  • Ages 7–10: “A gas that comes from cars and factories. It adds to Earth’s warm blanket.”
  • Ages 11–14: “The main greenhouse gas from burning fossil fuels and deforestation.”

Industrialisation

The growth of factories, machines, and mass production that began around 1750 and accelerated the use of fossil fuels, particularly CO₂. It has also accelerated deforestation.

  • Ages 7–10: “Building lots of factories and machines.”
  • Ages 11–14: “The rapid growth of industry since the 1700s, increasing fossil fuel use.”

Deforestation

Forests absorb CO₂ to live.

Many forests around the world are being steadily cut down for farming, for wood, and to develop the space for human development. Removing them both releases stored carbon and reduces Earth’s ability to soak up the carbon we release.

  • Ages 7–10: “Cutting down trees that help clean the air.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Removing forests that store carbon and keep the climate balanced.”

Suggested Activities

Ages 7–10

  • Role-play: pretend to be trees, cars, and factories.
  • Draw how a tree helps clean the air.
  • Make a simple poster, for example a “Trees Help Our Planet” poster.

Ages 11–14

  • Trace the journey of a carbon atom from fossil fuels into the atmosphere.
  • Use real data to find which countries emit the most CO₂.
  • Debate: “Should we stop using fossil fuels now?”

Discussion Prompts

Are there any good reasons why humans use so many fossil fuels? What are alternatives?

What could we use instead of fossil fuels?

Lesson 3: What’s Happening Around the World?

Image of heavy rainfall on tree branch, representing the climate change impact of increased extreme weather.

Next, take a journey around the world to see how climate change is affecting different places.

From melting ice in the Arctic to rising sea levels and stronger storms, cover real examples of how a warming planet impacts people, animals, and ecosystems.

Key Examples of Climate Change Taking Place

Melting Ice Caps

The Arctic and Antarctic regions are losing ice because warmer temperatures melt glaciers. This loss: raises sea levels, threatens the regional wildlife and reduces the Earth’s ability to reflect sunlight (a process called albedo that helps limit global warming).

  • Ages 7–10: “The ice at the top and bottom of Earth is melting, making the sea rise.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Glaciers and polar ice sheets are shrinking, raising sea levels.”

Rising Sea Levels

When glaciers melt and oceans warm (water expands when heated), sea levels rise. This can flood coastal cities and islands.

  • Ages 7–10: “More water is flooding places where people live.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Sea levels rise because melting ice adds water and warmer water expands.”

Extreme Weather

Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, storms, droughts, and floods.

  • Ages 7–10: “More big storms, floods, and heatwaves.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Climate change makes extreme weather events more frequent and intense.”

Biodiversity Loss

Warming, deforestation, and pollution threaten habitats and species. Plants and animals struggle to adapt to fast changes.

  • Ages 7–10: “Some animals lose their homes.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Species struggle to adapt as habitats change rapidly.”

Suggested Activities

Ages 7–10

  • Make a world map of climate impacts with drawings.
  • Watch clips from Our Planet about melting ice and coral reefs.
  • Create animal fact sheets on species affected by warming.

Ages 11–14

  • Analyze before-and-after photos of glaciers.
  • Research case studies: Maldives sea level rise, Australian bushfires.
  • Group presentations on impacts in different continents.

Discussion Prompt

How do you think communities in low-lying countries feel about rising seas?

How would you feel if your home was threatened by climate impacts?

Lesson 4: Closer to Home – Local Impacts

Image of a parent in a garden with their children, enjoying learning about the environment together.

In lesson 4, zoom in on your own region to learn how climate change is affecting the local community.

Explore changes in local weather, wildlife, and the places we care about. You can also think about what these changes mean for us in our daily lives.

Key Localised Impacts to Consider

Urban Heat Islands

If you’re in a city or urban area, lots of concrete and little greenery absorb more heat. Consequently, they become hotter than surrounding areas. You may well have examples of this in your home or school – patches where you know its warmer and you can literally feel the heat coming from the walls!

  • Ages 7–10: “Cities get hotter because of lots of roads and buildings.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Built-up areas trap more heat than the countryside.”

Shifting Seasons

Perhaps Spring is arriving earlier in your region, or you’ve noticed winters are milder. This change affects plants, animals, and farming, who rely on seasons being predictable and consistent.

  • Ages 7–10: “Spring is coming earlier and winters are warmer.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Seasons are changing, affecting farming and wildlife.”

Local Wildlife Changes

Some species move north to stay cool. Others struggle as their habitats disappear. You may have new species locally, or some that you see less often. Changes to birds and insects are often common examples.

  • Ages 7–10: “Some animals are moving away or disappearing.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Species migrate or decline as habitats become unsuitable.”

Suggested Activities

Ages 7–10

  • Nature walk: spot plants and animals.
  • Interview older relatives about past weather.
  • Draw a “Then and Now” picture of local seasons.

Ages 11–14

  • Research local temperature records over decades.
  • Map which species are moving north.
  • Debate how communities should adapt.

Discussion Prompt

“What changes have you noticed in the seasons or weather near your home?”

Lesson 5: What Can We Do About It?

Image of head in silhouette with a thought bubble displaying various icons representing sustainable solutions to climate change.

Finally, focus on solutions to climate change.

Aim to teach and learn about the many ways people around the world are taking action to slow down climate change and protect the environment.

Explore ideas for saving energy, using renewable power, and making choices that help our planet. Finish by encouraging students to plan actions they could take to be part of the solution.

Key Actions to Cover

Using Renewable Energy

Renewable energy provides power that doesn’t run out and doesn’t emit greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. This includes sources like solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric energy.

Renewable energy is being adopted both on an industrial scale, reducing the impact of energy drawn from the local/national grid, and also in individual homes.

  • Ages 7–10: “Energy from the sun, wind, and water that doesn’t run out.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Power sources that produce little or no emissions.”

Energy Conservation

Conservation encourages using less energy in homes and other buildings, for example by turning off lights, insulating buildings, and choosing efficient appliances.

  • Ages 7–10: “Using less energy, like turning off lights.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Reducing energy waste through better choices and technology.”

Sustainable Living

This means making day-to-day choices that reduce harm to the environment, like reducing waste, eating less meat, or using public transport.

  • Ages 7–10: “Doing things to help Earth, like recycling and walking more.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Living in ways that reduce harm to the environment.”

Collective Action

Working together as communities, schools, or nations is a powerful tool to create bigger change.

  • Ages 7–10: “Working together to make a big difference.”
  • Ages 11–14: “Community and global efforts that scale up impact.”

Suggested Activities

Ages 7–10

  • Design a climate hero poster.
  • Create an energy-saving checklist.
  • Plan a class “Green Week.”

Ages 11–14

  • Audit the school’s carbon footprint.
  • Research renewable energy projects.
  • Draft letters to local leaders suggesting action.

Discussion Prompt

Which climate action feels easiest to do? Which feels hardest?

“What is one thing you want to start doing to help?”

Linking Climate Change To Other Subjects

Science: Carbon cycle, ecosystems, weather patterns
Geography: Climate zones, maps of climate impacts
Maths: Graphing temperature trends, calculating carbon footprints
English: Writing persuasive letters or climate stories
Art: Designing climate awareness posters and recycled art
IT & Computing: Researching climate data and creating digital presentations

Recommended Resources

Reflecting on Climate Learning

Cartoon style image displaying a scene of a teaching climate change in a school setting.

Climate change education is about more than quoting facts and figures. It’s about building empathy, critical thinking, and a sense of agency.

When you help students understand not only what’s happening but what they can do, you plant seeds of change.

The young people in your classroom today are key to the society of tomorrow that will help continue building towards a sustainable future and ensuring climate action continues.

To support you further, we also provide the following extra resources here at Greener Insights:

20 School Project Ideas to Teach About Climate Change

20 School Sustainability Project Ideas to Engage Students

Teaching Sustainability: Guide and Activities

20 School Nature Projects For Students

Finally, want more practical ideas and tips?
Check in here at Greener Insights for regular updates and follow us on our social media channels:

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