Non-metals (carbon)

4. The responsibility of the international community

Required Resources

• None

Delivery

• Students should be familiar with many of the measures being taken by countries globally to reduce their production of CO2 / CH4 and to preserve existing stocks of non-renewable resources.
• Split the class into five or more teams. Paint a fictional picture of 2020, when the world's oil supplies are dwindling to such an extent that at the current rate of consumption they will be exhausted in three years. Each team takes on one of the following identities (multiple teams can have the same identity if wished): the oil companies, the developed world, the developing world, Greenpeace, the World Bank, Oxfam.
• Students should work in their teams to consider their stance on how the remaining oil should be used. What voluntary limitations are they prepared to take on board? To what extent should they ensure the needs of their citizens / shareholders are represented? Should the oil be used for emergency purposes only? Should it be made available at a fair price to all countries? Or just for those prepared to pay for it. Should all countries be forced to invest in alternative fuels and then pool their knowledge? What might the security risks be when resources have dwindled to such an extent?
• Give each team 5 minutes to prepare their stance. Then invite one member from each team to the front of the class for an impromptu press conference, with the rest of the class acting as journalists.
• End the debate after 5 minutes, highlighting the work to be done internationally in pulling together nations and bodies with opposing views.

Differentiation

Lower Ability:

Skip the debate and focus instead on study of the various measures already in place to limit damage to the environment.

Higher Ability:

Students conduct the same exercise but in groups of 5. Each group presents a manifesto of recommendations (or a list of points upon which they could not agree) to the rest of the class.