How Should We Deal with Climate Change?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has just released its latest report on climate change. The purpose of this post is not to debate the reality or causes of climate change. That is a task for scientists and policy makers. As Christian school leaders we have a different task: How should our teachers address this issue in the classroom? Here are questions that confront us:

• Should the science of climate change be addressed in our classrooms? If so, how?


• What is a biblical framework for assessing the science of climate change in our science classes? In our social studies classes? In our Bible classes?


• How can this issue be used to stimulate interest in science?


• How can Problem-Based Learning, Inquiry-Based Learning, and Authentic Assessments be used to address the issue?


• Should students be encouraged to be involved in addressing the issue through community service or other forms of activitism?


• How do we deal with the PR side of this issue, e.g., parents who believe that climate change is a liberal cause or those who believe that we should all buy a Prius?


• How should this issue be handled in anticipation of the inevitable assertions by some that climate change is evidence of the End Times?

Response:

Do you plan to address this issue with your faculty? If so, how? What are your concerns? What are your challenges?

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