New
New
Cities and climate change
I can describe how cities cause, and are affected by, climate change.
Lesson 10 of 12
New
New
- Year 8
Cities and climate change
I can describe how cities cause, and are affected by, climate change.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Urban areas are vulnerable to climate impacts such as increasing temperatures.
- Many of the world's cities are vulnerable to sea level rise.
- Cities contribute to climate change through emissions.
- Planners can adopt strategies that help cities mitigate the impacts of climate change and help populations adapt.
Keywords
Emissions - gases released into the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide from human activity
Mitigation - efforts to reduce or prevent the release of greenhouse gases and their effects
Adaptation - actions taken to adjust to current or future climate impacts
Common misconception
Only big cities in rich countries cause climate change.
Cities of all sizes, in both rich and poorer countries, contribute to climate change through emissions, especially from transport, energy use, and waste.
Encourage students to link climate impacts to their own experiences (like heatwaves or flooding in the UK) to make the topic more relatable and highlight that climate change affects cities here too.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions:
Match the keywords to their definitions:
Q2.Why might someone migrate to a city?
Why might someone migrate to a city?
To find worse transport
To escape clean air
To avoid education
Q3.Which of these is a challenge of rapid urban growth?
Which of these is a challenge of rapid urban growth?
More farmland
Cleaner air
Fewer people
Q4.Why do some people believe that life in cities is always better?
Why do some people believe that life in cities is always better?
They think rural areas have better internet
Cities are always cleaner
Cities always have more wildlife
Q5.Which of these is true about city living?
Which of these is true about city living?
All cities are the same size
Everyone enjoys city life
Cities are all safe and quiet
Q6.Which of these is not always found in cities?
Which of these is not always found in cities?
Housing
Roads
Shops
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions:
Match the keywords to their definitions:
Q2.Which of these is an example of emissions?
Which of these is an example of emissions?
Growing trees in a park
Saving electricity
Collecting rainwater
Q3.What is an example of climate adaptation in cities?
What is an example of climate adaptation in cities?
Burning more fossil fuels
Using petrol cars
Making more landfill sites
Q4.Which statement is true about cities and climate change?
Which statement is true about cities and climate change?
Only countryside areas cause emissions
Cities never prepare for floods
Cities are not affected by climate impacts
Q5.Some people think only rich, large cities cause climate change. What’s a better understanding?
Some people think only rich, large cities cause climate change. What’s a better understanding?
Cities in poor countries don’t produce any emissions
Only rural areas are to blame
Climate change is not linked to cities
