• Views 34
  • Favorites
Photo via Pexels

Database Provider

Author

Tim Flannery

Grades

6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th

Subjects

Science, Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Space Sciences

Resource Type

  • Videos, 13 minutes, 51 seconds, CC, Subtitles

Regional Focus

Global, Oceania

Format

Downloadable MP4/M4V

Can Seaweed Help Curb Global Warming?

|
Ask a Question

Synopsis
  • This video explains how seaweed farming could remove significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere, reduce ocean acidification, and provide a food source to people and ocean ecosystems.
  • Students will learn about Tim Flannery's concept that seaweed is the carbon hero the world needs if we want to curb climate change quickly.
Teaching Tips

Positives

  • This is a great example of a creative and nature-based solution to a number of problems facing the world.
  • The speaker does an excellent job in explaining some of the trickier concepts and includes graphics that will benefit visual learners.

Additional Prerequisites

  • Students should have an understanding of climate change, greenhouse gases, and ocean acidification.
  • There is a brief ad before and after the video.

Differentiation

  • Science classes could use this video to introduce seaweed as a way to curb climate change. Some discussion questions include:
    • How could seaweed farming positively affect the changing climate?
    • What surprised you about seaweed's potential impact?
    • Do you see a future in seaweed farming/ocean permaculture? Why? Why not?
    • What are some of the challenges that this solution will face?
  • Social studies and economics classes could discuss the governmental and economic implications of a solution like ocean permaculture and seaweed farming. 
  • Other related resources include this video about seaweed, this interactive lesson about climate change and oceans, and this interactive table of possible solutions.
Scientist Notes
According to the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in order to keep global warming to under 2°C by 2100, reducing greenhouse gas emissions will simply not be enough. We must also find a way to physically remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In this TED talk, Tim Flannery explains his hopes that seaweed can help us in this endeavor. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.

  • Science
    • ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
      • HS-ESS3-4. Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
    • LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
      • MS-LS1-6. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.
  • Related Resources

    Reviews

    Login to leave a review