Carbon Trading: Arguments For and Against
Provided by: Project Look Sharp|Published on: August 12, 2021|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 11, 12, AP
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Economics, Civics
Authors: Project Look Sharp, Sox Sperry
Location: Earth
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this media literacy activity from Project Look Sharp, students will analyze an article from the World Economic Forum and a digital comic book on the impacts of carbon trading.
- Students will learn that there are a variety of perspectives on carbon trading and they will have the opportunity to think critically about their own feelings on the issue.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This resource contains a lesson plan for teachers and handouts for students.
- The materials can be downloaded and used offline.
Prerequisites
- The article and the comic were produced before COP26, which finalized the carbon market rules. Teachers should explain the current situation to students before they start the activity.
- Teachers must create an account with Project Look Sharp to access the materials.
- Teachers could ask students to answer questions outside their formal discipline to show students how academic disciplines are interconnected.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Economics and civics students can research the carbon market rules that were established during COP26 and evaluate the efficacy of the carbon market in substantially reducing global emissions.
- Art students can make their own political comics to show how carbon trading works and to present the pros and cons of the issue.
- Other resources on this topic include this video on using economic tools to achieve environmental goals and this video on why net zero targets do not work.
This resource provides students with the skills to understand how carbon trading affects the environment and resource distribution and how to negotiate policies to cut down global Greenhouse gas emissions. The resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
