Climate change – challenging conversations
Climate change is an incredibly complex wicked problem that links environmental issues with human wellbeing, the economy, and local and global politics.
Climate change concept cartoon
This concept cartoon presents some of the viewpoints people might hold regarding the impacts of climate change on ecosystems. Concept cartoons can help people justify ideas and clarify scientific thinking.
The Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ report that, in Aotearoa, we are already observing changes in our climate. It also reports that there is a growing public desire for Kiwis to do their part to secure a stable climate – for example, the School Strike 4 Climate marches and councils, cities and towns declaring climate emergencies.
Critical thinking and communication are key aspects when addressing wicked problems in the classroom and in social and whānau settings. This activity uses concept cartoons to encourage conversations about climate change. Concept cartoons put forward a range of viewpoints designed to motivate and engage people and stimulate discussions.
The concept cartoons presented in this activity are designed for use within the classroom and to support student discussions with whānau and/or others. The cartoons contain viewpoints that:
challenge (address) alternative conceptions people may hold regarding climate change
challenge communities to recognise the concerns people may be feeling about the impacts of climate change
challenge people to take action.
The activity also includes blank templates for students, teachers or whānau to create their own concept cartoons.
The article Using concept cartoons provides information about pedagogical methodologies and approaches when using concept cartoons.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
discuss and explore climate change issues in constructive and respectful situations
consider other people’s thinking
use concept cartoons to share viewpoints with whānau and others within their communities
locate information to clarify and support their own thinking.
Download the Word file (see link below).
