Active learning ideas
Mitigation and adaptation strategies represent the two-pronged approach to managing the climate crisis. Mitigation focuses on reducing the sources or enhancing the sinks of greenhouse gases, while adaptation involves adjusting to the actual or expected future climate. This topic requires students to critically evaluate the effectiveness of international agreements like the Paris Agreement, as well as local-level initiatives. They must understand the political, economic, and ethical hurdles that often stall progress.
Activity 01
Students take on roles as government officials, MNC CEOs, and environmental activists. They 'testify' on the merits and drawbacks of increasing Singapore's carbon tax, forcing them to consider economic competitiveness versus environmental necessity.
What are the traditional hard engineering methods for flood management?
Activity 02
Groups are given a specific urban challenge (e.g., urban heat island effect or flash floods). They must select three strategies from a 'toolkit' of green roofs, permeable pavements, or cooling technologies, justifying their choices based on cost and effectiveness.
How do soft engineering approaches provide alternative flood mitigation?
Activity 03
Each station covers a different milestone: Kyoto, Paris, and COP26. Students identify the key goals, the 'winners and losers,' and the reasons why these agreements often fall short of their targets.
How sustainable are current flood management strategies in highly urbanised areas?
Templates
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A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Adaptation is a sign of giving up on mitigation.
Both are necessary. Mitigation prevents future warming, while adaptation manages the warming that is already 'locked in.' A 'balance scale' activity can help students see that a successful climate strategy requires both arms to work in tandem.
Renewable energy is the only form of mitigation.
Mitigation also includes carbon sequestration, energy efficiency, and reforestation. Peer-teaching sessions where students present different 'wedges' of carbon reduction help them see the diverse range of mitigation strategies available.
Methods used in this brief
Hydrological Processes in the Tropics
Understand the drainage basin as an open system and the hydrological processes specific to tropical environments. Analyze storm hydrographs and the factors influencing them.
8 methodologies
Causes of Flooding
Examine the physical and human causes of flooding in tropical regions. Differentiate between the mechanisms of flash floods and riverine floods.
8 methodologies