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Waltham Forest Secondary

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The Big Climate Conversation

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Why are we talking about this?

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Click to watch! (1 min)

Click the image to find out why we need The Big Climate Conversation...

https://safeshare.tv/x/ys9zSsn1X8w#

Alternative Video Link: https://youtu.be/ys9zSsn1X8w

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Why are we talking about this?

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Teacher’s Note:

A link to the survey is on the final slide.

To have your voice heard on these issues, after your lesson your teacher will fill in The Big Climate Conversation Survey to share your thoughts on four key questions, as well as some optional discussion points.

Look out for these post-its during the lesson and keep a tally of how your class answers. You could even choose a Climate Ambassador to keep note!

Make a note!

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Why are we talking about this?

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Across the UK, our leaders, our businesses, and local people are working hard to slow down the impact of climate change.

But, Waltham Forest need you! Yes, you! Your voice will help the borough make important decisions through The Big Climate Conversation.

Waltham Forest Council is no exception. They are making positive changes to become a leading council for tackling climate change.

Waltham Forest are aiming to reach net zero by 2030, but what does this mean and how can you help? Let’s find out…

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What is it?

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Greenhouse gases:

Gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂)and methane, that trap heat and cause the Earth to get warmer.

Net zero means achieving a balance between the greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere and those taken out.

0:00-1:30

Click to watch! (2 mins)

Click the image above to watch the video to find out more about net zero.

Challenge:

Why is achieving net zero important for the environment?

https://safeshare.tv/x/XKM7W4KtSjQ

Alternative Video Link: https://youtu.be/XKM7W4KtSjQ

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Mind the gap

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So, why are Waltham Forest focused on net zero? Why is it important for us to make a change?

Mind the gap! (3-5 mins)

Have a look at the facts on the next few slides. For each one, use the multiple choice answers to help you decide which word, number, or year is missing. Discuss your ideas with your partner and then raise your hand to share your ideas with your peers.

Got a mini whiteboard?

Write down your guess and hold it up instead!

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Mind the gap

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2.5

1.5

3.5

Since 2015, leaders have been aiming to stop the world temperature increasing by ____ degrees.

1.5

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Mind the gap

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75%

50%

99%

Over _____ of scientists think our actions and habits have caused the climate emergency.

99%

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Mind the gap

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Homes

Transport

Factories

In Waltham Forest, most carbon emissions come from ________.

homes

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Mind the gap

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In 2019, a study by Waltham Forest found that homes and transport produce the highest carbon emission.

Carbon emissions refer to the CO₂produced by things like cars, factories & homes, which increases global warming.

Pair reflection (2-3 mins)

Do these results surprise you? Why or why not?

Challenge:

Based on this, what do you think people in Waltham Forest could so to reduce their carbon emissions?

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Weighing up the costs

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It’s tempting to think that tackling climate change is someone else’s problem. After all, what difference can one person make?

What do you think? (15-20 mins)

On the next few slides, you’ll see different examples of small actions people can take to help the environment. Read the information and use your thumb to show if these changes are something you would or wouldn’t be willing to do. Be ready to explain your answers!

However, the actions and attitudes from people can have just as big an impact as councils and Governments.

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Weighing up the costs

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We now know that the things we eat and drink can affect the environment.

For example, farming animals, like cows, chickens and sheep, uses a lot of energy and can contribute up to 14.5% of people’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenhouse gases:

Gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane, that trap heat and cause the Earth to get warmer.

Because of these findings, lots of people are trying to eat less meat. Some have even become vegetarian or vegan.

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To help schools introduce a more sustainable way of eating, Waltham Forest Catering are offering schools the chance to do Meat-Free Tuesday. So, for one day a week, schools will only offer vegetarian or vegan food.

What do you think? (1-2 mins)

Would you want your school to do a meat-free day? Put your thumb up for “yes” or down for “no”.

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Weighing up the costs

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The technology we use also contributes to carbon emissions.

In fact, for the same amount of carbon dioxide emissions as building a new smartphone, you could power a smartphone you already own for 10 years!

A study in 2020 showed that manufacturing smartphones produces incredibly high amounts of carbon emissions.

Did you know?

About 6.6. billion people in the world own smartphones!

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Weighing up the costs

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A smartphone can contain up to 60 different minerals including metals, plastics, ceramics and resin.

Mining these precious metals and rare materials contributes massively to a phone’s carbon footprint.

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Weighing up the costs

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Phone companies tempt us with new smartphones. In fact, many of us replace our phones every two years.

This isn’t sustainable. As well as the environmental cost of producing new smartphones, there is also a human cost.

The people who mine the precious minerals often work in poor conditions with few benefits.

How can we fight both the human and environmental costs of smartphones? Perhaps you could your phone for longer or buy a second hand phone instead of a new one?

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Weighing up the costs

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What do you think? (1-2 mins)

Would you buy a second hand smartphone?

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Weighing up the costs

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There are many other ways to reduce and reuse what we buy.

Watch & discuss (2-3 mins)

Click to watch the video. Discuss: Could a “Library of Things” work in Waltham Forest? Use your thumbs to show your answer!

0:00-2:03

https://safeshare.tv/x/wuUAg04KZYI#

This is why the Library of Things was born! People can save money and reduce waste by borrowing instead of buying.

Alternative Video Link: https://youtu.be/wuUAg04KZYI

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These actions may seem a little inconvenient in the short-term, but small changes can have a big impact in the long-term.

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I’m eating veggie for one day a week.

I’m getting a second hand phone for Christmas.

Can I borrow your old bike? I’d rather not buy new.

There are small actions that all of us can take to help the environment.

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Weighing up the costs

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Pair discussion (2-3 mins)

What do you think is stopping people making these small changes?

I want to able to eat meat whenever I want.

Have you seen the new iPhone?!

Borrowing is a hassle! I prefer buying new.

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Weighing up the costs

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Teacher’s Note:

A link to the survey is on the final slide.

Table discussion (3-5 mins)

Would you make changes to your life to help the environment? Talk with your group before using your thumbs to show your answer!

Yes!

Maybe!

No!

Make a note!

Note down how many voted yes, no or maybe to include in The Big Climate Conversation survey!

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Stay on target

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Discuss! (15-20 mins)

On the next few slides, you are going to hear more about some of the action the council is taking. Read each target and discuss the question that follows as a class.

We can’t make these changes all on our own. So Waltham Forest Council have their own climate change targets to share with you! Let’s take a closer look…

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Stay on target

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Making sure all council buildings use less energy by 2030.

Lending money to help people make green home improvements.

Insulating homes so they save energy and stay warm.

Buildings

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Stay on target

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Around 22% of carbon emissions come from our homes.

Insulating homes can help the environment and reduce gas bills.

Changing lightbulbs to LED bulbs can cut carbon emissions.

Insulating homes:

Stopping cold air getting into your home and warm air escaping.

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Class discussion (1-2 mins)

Read the information and decide...

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Stay on target

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Do you think a lot of energy is wasted in your home?

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Stay on target

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Encouraging more recycling in the borough.

Asking people to make a difference in the borough.

Setting up community fridges to share spare food.

Waste

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Stay on target

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Making paper from recycled paper uses 40% less energy.

60% of rubbish that ends up in the bin could be recycled.

Producing aluminium from recycled products uses 95% less energy.

Class discussion (1-2 mins)

Read the information and decide...

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Stay on target

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Do you think your actions help to reduce waste?

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Stay on target

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Planting more trees throughout the borough.

Asking schools to plant trees and do outdoor classrooms.

Working with experts to look after biodiversity.

Nature & resilience

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Stay on target

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Planting more trees provides habitats for plants and animals.

It is thought that a hectare of woods captures 400+ tonnes of carbon dioxide!

Trees can help reduce stress levels and boost our immune systems.

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Hectare:

10,000 m² (just over 1 and a half football pitches!).

Class discussion (1-2 mins)

Read the information and decide...

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Stay on target

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Do you think your school should create more green spaces?

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Stay on target

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Improving public transport, footpaths and cycle lanes.

Building green walls (like in the picture) to reduce carbon dioxide.

Providing cycling courses for students to increase confidence.

Sustainable transport

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Stay on target

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In the UK, transport is the number one emitter of greenhouse gases.

60% of 1-2 mile trips in the UK are made by car.

Cars make up almost 75% of carbon emissions in the UK.

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Class discussion (1-2 mins)

Read the information and decide...

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Stay on target

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Would you and your friends walk or cycle more to help the environment?

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Overcoming obstacles

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While these plans can have a big impact on the environment, sometimes there are obstacles that prevent change from happening.

Obstacle:

Something that blocks you from moving forward.

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Overcoming obstacles

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Show your thoughts (4-8 mins)

On the next few slides, you are going to read some of the obstacles to tackling climate change. Take a minute and discuss if you think this obstacle is a big problem, a small problem or not a problem in Waltham Forest. Once you’ve decided, use your hand to show your answer!

This is a big problem!

This is a small problem!

This is not a problem!

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Overcoming obstacles

These changes will take a lot of time. We need plans that will work faster!

This is a big problem!

This is not a problem!

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Overcoming obstacles

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Public support will be a barrier. Not everyone cares about climate change.

This is a big problem!

This is not a problem!

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Overcoming obstacles

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Money could be an obstacle. We’re going to need a lot of it for all of these targets.

This is a big problem!

This is not a problem!

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Overcoming obstacles

Bad habits are hard to break. Many people don’t want to change.

This is a big problem!

This is not a problem!

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Overcoming obstacles

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Teacher’s Note:

A link to the survey is on the final slide.

Reflection (2-3 mins)

Based on what you’ve looked at, what do you think is the biggest obstacle Waltham Forest is facing in tackling climate change? Discuss your ideas with your partner before sharing with the class.

Money

Time

Public support

Make a note!

Note down how many voted time, support, money or habits to include in The Big Climate Conversation survey!

Changing habits

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Overcoming obstacles

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You can see why it’s not always easy to cause change like this. It takes time, money and effort and it’s not always easy to get these things.

So how do we overcome these obstacles? How can we get more people walking, recycling and changing their habits to protect the environment?

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Overcoming obstacles

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Group activity (4-6 mins)

As a group, decide what you think would be the best way to help Waltham Forest overcome these obstacles? Use the ideas below to help. Once you’ve discussed as a group, share your solutions with the rest of the class.

Teaching people about climate change

Raising money to support change

Setting up eco-councils and local groups

Speaking out about climate change

Getting local shops and businesses involved

Creating easier, short-term goals

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Actions speak louder

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Now, everyone stand up…

Vote with your feet! (3-5 mins)

On the next slide, have a look at our big question for today’s lesson and decide how you’re going to vote. If you want to vote “yes”, go to the left side of the room. If you think “no”, go to the right. If you’re not sure, stay in the middle. Be ready to explain your answer!

Make a note!

Note down how many voted yes, no or maybe to include in The Big Climate Conversation survey!

Teacher’s Note:

A link to the survey is on the final slide.

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Actions speak louder

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Do you think Waltham Forest can become net zero by 2030?

I think they will as…

I’m not sure because…

Probably not if…

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Make a pledge

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Empower:

To give someone the freedom or confidence to do something.

The obstacles should hopefully seem smaller now. But, we also need to feel empowered to change. Maybe a pledge or two might help?

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Make a pledge

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It would be simple to say: “I pledge to recycle more” or “I pledge to buy second hand clothes”.

However, we need to hold ourselves and others accountable if we forget or don’t action a pledge. It has to be something you can stick with!

Accountable:

Responsible for and having to explain your actions.

Get ready to make an intentional, actionable and practical pledge to help protect the planet!

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Make a pledge

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Before you pledge…

Am I aiming high enough? Is it a one-time action or will it help for a long time?

Is it realistic? Could I do this tomorrow? Pledging to buy an electric vehicle might be tricky!

Could I get more people involved to make my pledge even bigger?!

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Make a pledge

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Teacher’s Note:

A link to the survey is on the final slide.

Final table reflection (5-10 mins)

Based on what you’ve thought about today, choose one (or write your own!) pledge you could make to help tackle climate change.

I pledge to cycle to school.

I pledge to encourage change in my community.

I pledge to buy second-hand clothes.

I pledge to buy a second hand phone.

I pledge to be vegetarian one day a week.

I pledge to use public transport and encourage others to do it too.

Make a note!

Write down your pledge to include in The Big Climate Conversation survey!

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Thank you for taking part in The Big Climate Conversation!

Don’t forget to have your voices heard at:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BigClimateConversation