by Sarah Edmonds | 22 May 2023 | Climate decoders, Decoders, Educators' Catalog, Environment, Writing's on the Wall
In the movies, the solution for global disasters comes at the nail-biting end. Not so in real life. It won’t be The Rock that saves this rock we live on. Dr. Ally Hextall, played by Jennifer Ehle, tries to save the world from a virus in the movie Contagion. ...
In the fight against climate change, technology is often seen as a panacea that absolves corporations and individuals of the responsibility to act. The narrative reads as follows: with new technology, we can continue to live as we always have, without reducing consumption and waste. In this latest Decoder, correspondent Sarah Edmonds explains why this is not at all the case.
Exercise: The article decodes several types of climate technologies making headlines now, notably: nuclear energy, solar power, carbon capture, hydrogen and wind energy. Divide your class into five groups, each taking on one of these technologies to investigate. They should start with the information presented in the article, then conduct outside research online using reputable sources. Each group should then discuss the benefits and drawbacks of their assigned climate technology, and elect a spokesperson to share their findings with the class.
by Mia Baškovič | 11 May 2023 | Climate champion profile, Contests, Culture, Writing's on the Wall, Youth Voices
Matea Benedetti was vexed by the dreadful impact of “fast” fashion on the environment. So she started her own clothing line. Matea Benedetti. This article, by author Mia Baškovič of Slovenia, was a Silver Prize winner in the Climate Champion Profiles...
by Karolina Krakowiak | 4 May 2023 | Ecologues, Environment, News Decoder Updates, Writing's on the Wall
Half of the world’s habitable land is used to produce our food, while the other large areas are contaminated by fertilizers, pesticides and sewage. How can we feed the world without causing harm to the planet? Alice McCrum, Emma Heiling and Sébastien Treyer at...
by Maggie Fox | 3 May 2023 | Climate decoders, Environment, Health and Wellness, Writing's on the Wall
There are all kinds of dangers associated with climate change. Can we still have healthy lives amid rising seas and extreme weather? Photo illustration by News Decoder. This article is one in a series of decoders examining critical aspects of climate change. They are...
by Patricia Cîrtog | 28 Apr 2023 | Climate champion profile, Contests, Europe, Writing's on the Wall, Youth Voices
Florin Stoican tirelessly worked to create Romania’s first citizen-led national park in a country that’s home to 65% of Europe’s virgin forests. Florin Stoican. Courtesy of Florin Stoican. This article, by author Patricia Cîrtog, was the Gold Prize...
by Karolina Krakowiak | 21 Apr 2023 | Climate decoders, Educators' Catalog, Environment, Writing's on the Wall
More than half a century ago, the world began devoting one day a year to celebrate the earth. For Kathleen Rogers, that turned into a decades-long mission. Earth Day Network President Kathleen Rogers, right, looks on as actress Gabrielle Union, left, signs her name on...
In celebration of Earth Day (April 2023), we published an interview with Kathleen Rogers, president of Earth Day Network. Rogers emphasizes the importance of climate education and youth participation in ameliorating the climate crisis. Get your students involved in solutions-based actions in service of our planet.
Exercise: After reading the article, assign a climate profile task to students. Their goal: interview someone in their local community who has contributed to fighting climate change. What has this person done to promote sustainable actions? Students will then transcribe the interview and write a brief summary in a written assignment, using the News Decoder article as a model.
by Marcy Burstiner | 11 Apr 2023 | Climate decoders, Writing's on the Wall
Redwood forests have survived only in the Pacific Northwest. But these carbon suckers will grow almost anywhere with a little land and a lot of love. A path meanders through the Arcata Community Forest in Humboldt County, California. (Credit: Marcy Burstiner) This...
by Karolina Krakowiak | 6 Apr 2023 | Ecologues, Environment, News Decoder Updates, Writing's on the Wall
Four experts exchanged perspectives on how to tackle the energy sector and its 40 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions per year. Emi Bartoli, Golnoosh Mir Moghtadaei and Maria Krasinski at the third meeting of Ecologues, 30 March 2023 (Photo: Emilie Biggs, American Library in...
by Jonathan Thatcher | 31 Mar 2023 | Climate decoders, Writing's on the Wall
Billions in international funds have gone to weaning the populous nation off coal. But the country continues to build coal plants despite its pledge to go green. A woman leads her goats as Suralaya coal power plant looms in the background in Cilegon, Indonesia, 8...
by Enrique Shore and Marcy Burstiner | 27 Mar 2023 | Climate decoders, Decoders, Environment, World, Writing's on the Wall
Some 785 million people worldwide lack a basic drinking water supply. Experts came together at the UN to find solutions to our planet’s worsening water crisis. Delegates pose next to a sign set up outside the United Nations headquarters during the UN 2023 Water...
