The Carbon Tax
Before reading (p. 4)
Show students this summary of Prime Minister Trudeau's announcement to pause the carbon tax for residents who heat their homes with oil:
Questions for online exploration (p.9)
1. What is the carbon tax and what is it intended to do?
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2280551491551 [7:37] (podcast)
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2279853123777 [8:37](podcast)
2. Why is there so much controversy over the carbon tax?
3. Watch this interview with Kody Blois, a Liberal MP from Nova Scotia, who explains the federal government's decision to put a three-year pause on the carbon tax collected from people who heat their homes with oil:
4. Does the federal government's decision to pause the carbon tax on home heating oil have a political motivation?
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2278399043559 [2:36]
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2278508611850 [7:29] (podcast)
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2281314883947 [0:00-11:58] (podcast)
5. Heat pumps are being subsidized for homeowners to switch from oil to clean energy. How do heat pumps work?
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2283253827663 [6:08] (podcast)
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2281798211575 [0:00-7:20] (podcast)
6. Does a carbon tax actually work?
- https://davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/carbon-tax-cap-trade/
- https://unfccc.int/climate-action/momentum-for-change/financing-for-climate-friendly/revenue-neutral-carbon-tax
7. Learn more about Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan:
Graphing (p. 13)
Complete the table below.
The following source will help:
All Eyes on Fagradalsfjall
Questions for further thought (p.20)
Scientists analyze data to make predictions about how to respond to volcanoes. Visit this site to learn more about the job of volcanologists:
https://www.environmentalscience.org/career/volcanologist
Questions for online exploration (p.21)
1. Check out these news reports on the progression of this event in Iceland:
- https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/iceland-volcano-tremors-1.7028010
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/iceland-grindavik-volcano-preparations-1.7027660
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/iceland-volcano-earthquakes-1.7027035
2. Hear from some of the evacuees in the nearby town of Grindavik about what it's like to live near a volcano:
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2281919043992 [1:16]
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2284145731842 [2:07]
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2288096835704 [23:08] (podcast)
3. Why is Iceland so volcanic?
- https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/bobs-blog-iceland-volcanoes-grindavik-1.7031479
- https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2283211843945 [7:41]
4. How do volcanoes work? Watch these videos that demonstrate what happens to cause a volcanic eruption:
- https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=WgktM2luLok [3:13]
- https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=9wIfFO08eCob [5:13]
5. Learn more about the country of Iceland:
Illegal Fishing on the high seas
Before reading (p. 4)
Have students view the following video from 'Sea Shepherd', an environmental group that works to conserve oceans and preserve marine wildlife. In the video, Sea Shepherd tracks down and exposes Chinese fishing vessels in the Galapagos Islands:
Questions for online exploration (p.34)
1. Visit the SeaLight site to learn more about the group's purpose and its research on illegal practices on the high seas:
2. A number of national and international organizations are working to eliminate IUU fishing:
UN:
NOAA:
Government of Canada:
Global Fishing Watch:
IMO:
UN - FAO:
3. Learn more about how boats go dark to hide from authorities.
- https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-51-quirks-and-quarks/clip/15947984-tracking-illegal-fishing-watching-ships-stealth-mode [9:01] (podcast)
- https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=C9t5MC7WXNg [6:58]
4. Explore these examples of illegal fishing practices by China:
2023 Taiwan:
2021 Galapagos Islands:
2020 North Korea:
2019 West Africa:
5. June 5 has been designated as the UN International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing. Find out how it is observed:
- https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-illegal-fishing-day
- https://www.fao.org/iuu-fishing/fight-iuu-fishing/en/
The Science of Home Heating
Before reading (p. 37)
Have students watch this video from BC Hydro that explains how a heat pump works:
Questions for online exploration (p.44)
1. Learn more about the different types of home heating systems available, how they work, and which are most efficient:
- https://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home/heating_and_cooling/heating_systems/
- https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/home-heating-systems
- https://birdfuels.ca/home-heating-in-canada-a-complete-guide/
- https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/products/heating-equipment-for-residential-use/13740
2. The federal government is subsidizing heat pumps to encourage homeowners to change their heating system. Efficiency Canada breaks down everything you need to know about heat pumps:
- https://www.efficiencycanada.org/the-cool-way-to-heat-homes/
- https://www.efficiencycanada.org/canadian-heat-pump-myth-buster/
3. How do Canadians heat their homes during the winter?
4. Check out Efficiency Canada’s provincial and territorial scorecard on energy efficiency:
5. Check out Hydro-Quebec’s animation of habits we need to adjust in the winter and a list of tips of how to be more energy efficient:
- https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=3LIBO3AT03cl [0:34]
- https://www.hydroquebec.com/residential/energy-wise/windows-heating-air-conditioning/heating-tips.html
6. What is the connection between home heating and climate change?
Inquiry project
The Steps of an Inquiry Project (p. 49)
Check out these short videos to learn how to check the credibility and reliability of websites:
How to evaluate sources for reliability:
- https://youtu.be/q1k8rcYUmbQ [3:48]
How to check if a website is credible:
- https://youtu.be/jt-IZ5M6XU8 [1:39]
Helpful Teacher Resources on Inquiry-based Learning (p. 52)
1. Check out Trevor MacKenzie’s website with links to podcasts, blogs, social media links, and other resources on Inquiry‑based learning:
2. John Spenser is another educator whose videos, blogs, and resources offer practical strategies and structures for engaging students in inquiry. Here are two to get you started:
“Helping Students Ask Better Questions by Creating a Culture of Inquiry”
“Using a Wonder Week to Spark Inquiry-based Learning”
3. Edutopia has a number of articles on student inquiry, including:
“What the heck is Inquiry-based Learning?”
“Resources and Downloads to Facilitate Inquiry-based Learning”