New
New
Year 9

Consumption and climate change

I can explain how consumption of resources contributes to climate change and identify solutions to reduce impact.

New
New
Year 9

Consumption and climate change

I can explain how consumption of resources contributes to climate change and identify solutions to reduce impact.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. More greenhouse gases means more insulation of the planet, causing global warming.
  2. Human energy and food consumption can worsen global warming.
  3. Individual consumer choices, innovative farming practices and government policies can reduce global warming.
  4. The UK committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 81% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels.

Keywords

  • Consumption - the process of using up resources

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

  • Greenhouses gas - gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat

Common misconception

Methane from cow flatulence causes global warming.

Ruminant animals (like cows and sheep) produce methane during digestion, 90–95% of this is released through eructation (burping). Methane is a greenhouse gas, which insulates our planet.


To help you plan your year 9 geography lesson on: Consumption and climate change, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Homework: ask students to calculate their carbon footprint using an online calculator and identifiy ways in which they will reduce their carbon footprint in the next week.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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

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6 Questions

Q1.
Solar power is an example of a resource.

Correct Answer: renewable

Q2.
What does the phrase "extraction of resources" mean?

To protect natural resources
To add resources to nature
Correct answer: To take natural resources from Earth
To preserve all resources

Q3.
Why is overconsumption a problem?

Correct answer: It uses up non-renewable resources too fast
It creates more renewable resources
It makes prices lower
It encourages people to save more

Q4.
Which of these is a sustainable action?

Leaving taps running
Using coal for energy
Correct answer: Planting new trees
Throwing away plastic bottles

Q5.
What does sustainable development try to balance?

Speed and comfort
Correct answer: Needs of the present and future
Growth and waste
Pollution and weather

Q6.
Which of these is a challenge with natural resource use?

Unlimited supply
Everyone uses the same amount
Correct answer: Some resources are running out
They grow on trees

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keyword to its definition:

Correct Answer:Consumption,The process of using up resources

The process of using up resources

Correct Answer:Climate change,Long-term change in the planet’s climate

Long-term change in the planet’s climate

Correct Answer:Greenhouse gas,Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere

Q2.
What causes climate change?

Solar panels
Correct answer: Greenhouse gases trapping heat
Wind turbines
Trees absorbing carbon

Q3.
Which of the following is a greenhouse gas?

Oxygen
Nitrogen
Correct answer: Methane
Iron

Q4.
Why is it incorrect to say cow flatulence is the main source of methane?

Cows don’t produce methane
It’s just a myth
Correct answer: Most methane comes from burping
Methane is not a greenhouse gas