Climate change is a large-scale and long-term change in the planet’s climate, including weather patterns and average temperatures.

Greenhouse gases are gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat.

Global warming is the increase in Earth's average temperature over a long period of time.

Fossil fuels are natural substances that were formed over millions of years from the buried remains of ancient organisms; they include coal, oil and gas.

Carbon footprints

Geography

Introducing sustainability

Using energy wisely

Tackling food waste

Biodiversity and sustainability

Making cities more sustainable

This unit prepares pupils to take a more critical stance when thinking about where their food comes from in 'Farms and factories: Where does our food come from?' and about patterns of consumption and global trade in 'Global trade: How do we get our stuff?'.

This builds on what has been learnt in 'Natural resources: What are they, where are they and why are they important?' and 'Energy: How do we power the world?' and encourages pupils to apply their learning in thinking how energy use impacts in different parts of life and is distributed unequally. 

This unit introduces sustainability by exploring how human choices affect the environment. Pupils learn about energy use, food waste, biodiversity and urban living, and consider how individuals and communities can work towards a more sustainable future.

Sustainable world: does it matter how we live?

Depiction or discussion of famine, disease, natural disasters.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Fossil fuels are formed over millions of years from the buried remains of {{}}.

Extra carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases increase and trap more heat.

Global warming occurs and temperatures rise.

What has caused an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

wealthy families living in rich countries

Who consumes the most natural resources? 

Yes - we have the power to do some things that will positively affect the future

No - the outcome of global sustainability is already decided.

No - our choices make a tiny difference that can’t have a global impact.

Do our choices affect global sustainability?

Which type of resource is the most sustainable?

If we use too much of our natural resources they can {{}}.

If something is unsustainable, it means it’s using up resources faster than they’re being {{}}.

Carbon footprints

Lesson outcome

Content guidance