The Ocean and Climate Change
Provided by: MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative|Published on: September 12, 2022|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative
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 →
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 about the changing ocean includes a lesson plan, two podcast episodes, a carbon dioxide absorption demonstration, discussion questions, interactive computer modeling, and an ocean literacy communication activity.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This resource gives teachers all the tools they need to teach a comprehensive mini-unit on climate change and the ocean.
- The podcasts feature an informative and interesting interview with Dr. Slyvia Earle the Explorer-in-Residence for the National Geographic Society.
Additional Prerequisites
- For the carbon dioxide demonstration, teachers will need a 500ml graduated cylinder, a funnel, a Petri dish cover, a clear basin that is shorter than the graduated cylinder, a stand and clamp, cold water, warm water, and 2-4 effervescent tablets (e.g. Alka-Seltzer).
Differentiation
- Teachers could expand the ocean literacy communication activity into a school-wide project. Following the directions in the lesson plan, each homeroom or advisory group could choose one of the Ocean Literacy Principles to present to the school community.
- Computer programming, design thinking, or engineering classes could use the section on Argo floats to discuss the engineering design process.
- Other resources on this topic include this video on ocean circulation patterns, this video about ocean acidification, and this lesson on oceans and climate change.
The resource contains 2 podcasts on the role of ocean in absorbing global temperatures, additional materials, and an educator guide for educators to apply when teaching this materials in their class. The ocean also plays a key role in carbon sequestration, however, further CO2 absorption by the ocean will have negative impacts on algae, coral reefs, and other marine resources. This resource is ideal for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
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.
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