Geoengineering and Climate Change
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Provided by: MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative|Published on: April 27, 2021
Lesson PlansScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This resource explains the benefits and risks of using geoengineering to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- The lesson leads students through a series of geoengineering articles and poses questions for discussion.
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering
Authors: MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The episode does a good job of explaining the moral complexities of solar radiation management.
- The accompanying Educator Guide includes a helpful glossary on p. 10.
Prerequisites
- A robust and detailed 10-page Educator Guide accompanies the podcast.
- A full transcript of the episode is available.
- On page 3 of the Educator Guide, the Detailed Table of Contents lists and links to the wrong podcast episode. Students should listen to "TIL About Geoengineering."
- The episode can be separated into the following sections:
- The first section introduces listeners to geoengineering. (0:00-3:40)
- The second section focuses on solar radiation management. (3:41-7:34)
- The third section questions who is in charge of geoengineering. (7:35-9:54)
- The last section is a call to action. (9:55-11:01)
Differentiation & Implementation
- Social studies, civics, or government classes could have a debate about who should make geoengineering decisions.
- Science classes could do group research projects on the following topics: increased albedo, cloud seeding, cirrus thinning, stratospheric aerosol injection, and space mirrors.
- Other resources on this topic include this Hot Mess video on using space mirrors to cool the earth and this video on why geoengineering might be necessary.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
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Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative
Founded in 2014, the Environmental Solutions Initiative (ESI) is MIT’s institute-wide effort to mobilize the substantial scientific, engineering, policy, and design capacity of the MIT community to contribute to addressing climate change and other environmental challenges of global import. ESI pursues multidisciplinary research, education, events, and partnerships to help move society toward an environmentally and socially sustainable future. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts on MIT’s main campus, ESI is powered by a lean staff working closely with students and faculty across the full spectrum of disciplines. Led by architecture professor John E. Fernandez, a leading scholar in the emerging field of urban metabolism, ESI is advised by students, faculty, alumni, and thought leaders from many sectors of society.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
