Lesson 3 2024

Lesson 3: Brainstorming
Climate Change Solutions
Learning Outcomes
Listen to various perspectives on climate change to help formulate meaningful

and equitable solutions.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of climate change and its far-reaching impact
on different aspects of their daily lives.
Brainstorm adaptation and mitigation solutions for their CIC project, and assess
the practicality of their ideas.
Essential Questions
Why did you choose this particular climate change problem? How does it connect to you,
your family, or your community?
How does listening to the stories and voices of our youth and Elders inspire you?
Can you tell an engaging story about the climate solution ideas you are exploring?
Does your solution take into consideration climate justice for those who suffer from
disproportionate climate change impacts?
What are some possible resources that you may want to tap into for your project?
Note to Teacher
This lesson includes an introduction to climate justice as one tool for evaluating a project. This
introduction aims to foster a deeper understanding of the importance of climate justice in addressing
the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities.
Use the “Find Your Entry Point Worksheet” or Wordcloud from Lesson 1 as a starting point
for brainstorming.
Consider documenting the mind-mapping process and project assessment processes in Lesson 3 as
it may aid in the storytelling process. Students and teachers should add photos and videos to their
Canva Pro profile as “assets” that can be used in a final project.
Lesson 3 Handouts
Find your Entry Point Graphic
ClimateInnovationChallenge.org 1
Classroom Discussion and Activities
Climate Change Justice and an Interconnected World View (20 minutes)

Watch Definition of Climate Justice - (3:21)
Important background information to consider sharing:
An essential component of climate justice is the
understanding of the interconnectedness of environmental
issues with numerous aspects of our lives. Beyond the environment, climate change
impacts health, mental wellness, culture, identity, and community. Recognizing this
interconnectedness is crucial for developing climate change solutions. It is important
to address environmental concerns while also prioritizing equity, social justice, and
the well-being of all individuals and communities.
Watch Climate Change is Impacting Coffee Growers (4:13)
This video tells the story of the economic impacts climate
change has on communities.
Indigenous perspectives take climate justice and extend them beyond
the human realm, focusing on the interconnectedness of all beings.
Listening to our Youth
Watch Indigenous Activists on Tackling the Climate Crisis (5:00)
Discussion questions -
How did the work of young climate activists
resonate with your own interests in climate
justice and action?
As a young person, do you feel like you can make
a difference in climate change?
Brainstorming Your Solutions (20 minutes)
Teacher’s Note
Start by having students reference their Entry Point Worksheet from Lesson 1. Then
zoom in. Think Local. Think Microscopic. Think of the smallest intervention possible
that aligns with their entry point, that, if adopted on a wider scale, would be effective.
For example, if school leadership provided incentives to students to walk, bike, or take
public transportation to and from school, they might do so more often.
If neighbors saved seeds from their backyard gardens, you could create a
community seed bank of locally adapted seeds to support future, resilient
gardens.
Think about how climate change impacts your home. How do you use water?
Do you collect rainwater? Can you limit your use of water? Can you reuse
water?
What do you do with leftover food or scraps? Do you have a place to dispose
of organic waste? Can you limit your food waste?
Find your Entry Point Graphic - We have developed the following graphic to assist with
brainstorming and help students connect their interests to climate solution pathways.
Not all entry points or pathways are reflected here, but this is an opportunity to be creative!
Mind Map Activity

A mind map is a great way for students to brainstorm climate change solutions and
impacts for their entry point. As a systems thinking tool, students can quickly organize
their thoughts and ideas around climate change while making connections between
cause and effect, potential solutions, stakeholders, and community impacts.
This activity can be done as an entire class or individually.
Use a piece of paper or an online program to complete the map.
Students should start by drawing or typing their climate change problem or
solution in the middle of the paper or screen.
Next, students can continue to add key ideas, techniques, structures, dream
concepts, solutions, causes, and components of the system as branches that
seem to be related to their main idea or topic.
As ideas come to mind, students can add more branches and concepts that
spread throughout the page.
Adding color and images can help inspire creativity and critical thinking.
Free online mind map option: Canva Mind Map Maker
Follow up question for students:
How do you take this web of ideas and formulate a specific solution to address
climate change in your community?
Have students share their proposed solutions either individually or in groups.
Mind map example from Santa Fe Indian School 9th graders around language
revitalization as an entry point for climate change.
Project Assessment (20 minutes)

Using their mind map, have students identify one solution that resonates with them. Then,
have students use the following checklist to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of their
proposed solution. Students can discuss as pairs or in groups.
Would it be expensive? Think about the cost vs. the benefit.
Is it even possible? What tools, skills, and resources would you need?
Does it address the root of the problem?
How long would it take to complete? Is it a short-term or long-term solution?
Does the idea conflict with or support community values and traditional practices?
Does your solution address climate justice concerns?
Alignment to Standards
MS ESS-3-2: Earth and Human Activity

Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and
inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

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Lesson 3 2024

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Lesson 3: Brainstorming

Climate Change Solutions

Listen to various perspectives on climate change to help formulate meaningful

Find your Entry Point Graphic

Climate Change Justice and an Interconnected World View (20 minutes)

Mind Map Activity

Project Assessment (20 minutes)

MS ESS-3-2: Earth and Human Activity

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