Carbon Trading: Arguments For and Against

• In this media literacy activity, students will analyze an article from the World Economic Forum and a digital comic book on the impacts of carbon trading. 
• Students will learn that there are a variety of perspectives on carbon trading and they will have the opportunity to think critically about their own feelings on the issue. 

Positives

• This resource contains a lesson plan for teachers and handouts for students.
• The materials can be downloaded and used offline.

Additional Prerequisites

• The article and the comic were produced before COP26, which finalized the carbon market rules. Teachers should explain the current situation to students before they start the activity.
• Teachers must create an account with Project Look Sharp to access the materials.
• Teachers could ask students to answer questions outside their formal discipline to show students how academic disciplines are interconnected.

Differentiation

• Economics and civics students could research the carbon market rules that were established during COP26 and evaluate the efficacy of the carbon market in substantially reducing global emissions.
• Art students could make their own political comics to show how carbon trading works and to present the pros and cons of the issue.
• Other resources on this topic include this video on using economic tools to achieve environmental goals, this video on why net zero targets do not work, and this interactive dashboard on climate policies.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.