COP26 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for your students to witness, understand and engage with the usually remote global political systems that will set the course of their future.
Educators have an important role to play in ensuring that their students understand the significance of this event and the relevance to their own lives, and have the opportunity to be a part of this landmark moment in the fight against climate change.
Schools are uniquely placed to play an important part in the legacy of COP26. They can take action to help in the fight against climate change right now, while ensuring that students are equipped to drive, and thrive in, a zero-carbon future.
Below you’ll find a link to some incredible resources, ideas, and tools to inspire and celebrate Climate Leaders in your school and beyond.
As this important event draws closer, we will be adding further resources to the section below so please come back and check them out!
What is COP26?
In November 2021, the UK Government will host the UN Climate Change Conference – also known as COP26 – in Glasgow. Many believe this is to be the world’s best last chance to get runaway climate change under control.
The event promises to be an historic moment that will define the course of political action to address climate change in the UK and around the globe.
This year will be the 26th annual summit – giving it the name COP26. With the UK as President.
In the run-up to COP26, the UK is working with every nation to reach agreement on how to tackle climate change. World leaders will arrive in Scotland, alongside tens of thousands of negotiators, government representatives, businesses, and citizens for twelve days of talks.
Not only is it a huge task but it is also not just yet another international summit. Most experts believe COP26 has a unique urgency.
General COP26 Resources
This PDF provides educators with a clear and detailed overview of what COP26 is all about.
Discover ideas and tools to inspire and celebrate Climate Leaders in your school and beyond here.
Here you’ll find a link to details on how the UK specifically is playing its part to help combat climate change.
You can follow all the latest news and information relating to COP26 by following the official COP26 Twitter channel here.
Climate Change
What is climate change? What could happen? How can we stop it?
Primary Resources:
You can get all the facts on climate change by visiting The National Geographic, Kids website. There you’ll find some fantastic free resources which tackle the often difficult and complex topic of climate change.
Kids Vs Plastic
Plastic water bottles, straws, and bags might be part of your everyday life. But that single-use plastic doesn’t disappear when you’re done with it: Most ends up in the ocean, where it can entangle animals or make them sick. But you can help solve this problem. Take the Kids vs. Plastic pledge and find out what you can do to fight trash.
Why not inspire your students to find their voice by writing a letter to their local politician? Your students will no doubt have something to say about climate change, so help their voices be heard. Use these letter-writing tips to show them how to craft compelling letters asking for support from politicians and other leaders.
Find out how pollution can hurt animals and what you can do to help here
Save the Earth Quiz. Take the National Geographic Quiz to find out how green you are, then get tips to make a difference!
Secondary Resources:
This COP26 Science resource pack contains easy-to-download and print PDFs and looks at shaping a sustainable future.
- Climate Witness Resources
- World Leader Resources
- Teacher Resources
Check out the National Geographic Educator Resource Library for stacks of incredible resources to help your students understand and take action on climate change.
Why not check out MapMaker Interactive, an online mapping tool that allows teachers and students to explore the world using map themes, data, and tools. The online map makes it easy for students to visually explore and interact with our interconnected social and physical Earth systems.
Jane Goodall
A legendary scientist, conservationist, and humanitarian whose ground-breaking discoveries shaped our understanding of what it is to be human. Find out more here.
National Geographic, Perils of Plastic (Maths Resource)
Students learn about the world’s largest “landfill,” make a connection to their own lives, and calculate how much trash they generate in a week, a year, and 10 years. Check it out here
Event:
Investigating Plastic Pollution: Imogen Napper
Imogen Napper is a marine scientist. She investigates unexpected sources of ocean plastic pollution like microplastics found in facial scrubs. Learn about her research, her recent expedition, and how you can combat plastic pollution in your own community right here.
Primary & Secondary:
WWF Climate Change Resources
We’ve produced a range of curriculum-linked resources for the classroom to help your pupils explore the issues of climate change in an engaging and motivating way.
