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Paris Climate Agreement
Overview
Should the United States reduce emissions that might contribute to climate change? Shouldn’t all countries? Isn’t that what the Paris Climate Agreement does? This video looks at commitments some countries made in the Paris Climate Agreement.
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Grade level and subjects
• Recommended for grades 6-12
• Subjects: Government and Science / Technology
• Works in Classroom, Hybrid, and Homeschool settings
What students will learn
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• explain the goal of the Paris Climate Agreement term “zero-sum” and how it does and does not apply to inventions, businesses, and trade;
• discuss the commitments made by some countries that support the Paris Climate Agreement;
• contrast efforts of countries to reduce greenhouse emissions; and
• evaluate the effects on the United States of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while other countries don’t.
Key concepts and terms covered
Greenhouse Gas.
Sample discussion questions
• What is the Paris Climate Agreement? What is its goal?
• How might someone defend the agreement against Oren Cass’s objections?
• Based on information in the video, if the U.S. achieved its Paris commitments, how would its carbon dioxide emissions compare to China’s and India’s current levels?
• What would a fair climate agreement look like? Would it require all countries to have the same emission levels? The same emission levels per person? To cut the same amount or percent from their current emissions levels? Or some other approach? What are some advantages and drawbacks to each of these approaches?
• Do you believe the U.S. was right to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement? Explain.
What’s in the free teacher’s guide
This printable 9-page Teacher's Guide includes a lesson description, learning objectives, key vocabulary, a fill-in viewing guide with answer key, discussion and analysis questions, and classroom activities.
Standards alignment
Aligned to state standards — use the SITC Standards Tool to match this video to the standards in your state.