Environmental awareness

Know how and why the climate is changing. 

Weather pattern changes: droughts, floods, extreme heatwaves.

Industry impact on climate change through fossil fuel use.

Coverage of specific examples in sectors of interest, e.g.

Retail – use of petrol/diesel in delivery vehicles.

Food industry – use of gas/oil/electricity in ovens.

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  Give examples of changes in weather patterns linked to climate change. 

• 1.2

  Identify the main ways in which industries are causing climate change. 

Know about the effects of climate change on plants, animals and people. 

Negative effect of climate change on animals and plants.

Loss of (suitable) habitat – range of specific examples such as:

• Polar bears (loss of sea ice).
• African elephants (availability of drinking water).
• Sea turtle (affected by changing water temperature).
• Wheat (temperature too hot in many places where it’s currently grown, like India).
• Peaches (need very cold winters to trigger flowers).

Making life more difficult for people: loss of property and homes through fire (e.g. Greece, USA) and flood (e.g. Germany, France, Belgium) heatwaves effect on health and long-term ability to remain in a place, livelihoods (e.g. end of farming for some in Australia); rising sea levels affecting island dwellers (e.g. Pacific island nations).

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  Give examples of the negative effect of climate change on animals and plants. 

• 2.2

  State how climate change is making life more difficult for people in different parts of the world. 

Know about the carbon footprint. 

Carbon footprint – how much carbon you are releasing as you go about your everyday life.

Main factors in personal carbon footprint: energy use at home, when travelling, linked to things you buy.

Awareness that for business focus is on energy use in business processes and ways in which facilities like offices and canteens are run.

A range of free-to-use calculators are available online.

WWF Footprint Calculator https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/

Maybe most suitable for Entry 3 learners.

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Give a definition of 'carbon footprint'. 

• 3.2

  Identify the main factors that make up a carbon footprint. 

• 3.3

  Use a given carbon footprint calculator to identify own impact on the environment. 

Know how individuals and businesses can reduce their carbon footprint. 

Steps to reduce own carbon footprint linked to greatest emissions identified by calculator, e.g.

• Walk or take public transport to college/work
• Reduce fast food consumption
• Buy some clothes second hand

Examples of specific carbon-reducing actions for businesses in sectors of interest such as

• A florist using fewer imported flowers (cutting down on air miles/fuel use)

A café – encourage the use of re-usable cups (cutting down on emissions from making plastic cups).

Assessment Criteria

• 4.1

  Identify practical steps to reduce own carbon footprint. 

• 4.2

  Give examples of ways businesses can reduce their carbon footprint.