Climate at the crossroads
Learn from three leading climate scientists in this live lesson from the Exeter Climate Forum. This is an opportunity to hear about three different perspectives on the climate challenge, with plenty of time for discussion afterwards.
Students will hear from Dr Mike O'Sullivan on the global carbon budget, Professor Peter Mumby on the impact of warming oceans on coral, and Dr Tom Powell on positive tipping points and the road to action and hope.
The format will be a quick introduction that frames the importance of climate change, followed by each speaker making a brief presentation in turn. The rest of the live lesson will be given to questions from the audience.
This session is designed for A-level students and senior secondary students with an interest in climate science, environmental policy, or related fields. Teachers and other related professionals are also welcome to attend.
Upcoming broadcast
- 45 mins
- Ages 16+ / Youth audience
This live lesson will be broadcast using YouTube Live.
Learning objectives
This live lesson supports students to:
Understand climate change through carbon budgets and fluxes
Examine a real-world case study of climate impact, the coral reef
Explore the concept of tipping points, both negative and positive, and how momentum and system change work in practice
Engage directly with working scientists and develop confidence in asking questions
Preparation
No specific prior knowledge is required, though students with some familiarity with the carbon cycle and basic climate science will find the session more accessible. Teachers may wish to revisit the fundamentals of the carbon cycle and the concept of feedback loops in advance.
Support
If this is your first time joining an Encounter Edu live lesson, please look at our support materials.
Submitting questions in advance
Teachers and students are strongly encouraged to submit questions before the session. With three scientists joining us, this is a rare opportunity to get specific, expert answers. Submitting questions in advance helps us make the most of the Q&A time.
Once registered, use the question box on this lesson page to submit questions. Questions can be added at any time before or during the broadcast.
Lesson steps
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
The scientists introduce themselves and their work, and then frame the lesson with their views on why climate change matters.
2. Carbon budgets and fluxes - Dr Mike O'Sullivan (7 minutes)
Dr O'Sullivan moves students beyond headline CO₂ figures to a more precise scientific picture. What is actually happening to global carbon levels right now? What is the difference between atmospheric concentration, a carbon flux, and a carbon budget, and why does that distinction change how we think about the climate challenge?
3. Coral and climate - Professor Peter Mumby (7 minutes)
Professor Peter Mumby explores the coral reef to show how rising temperatures impact marine health, with projections suggesting more than 99% of coral reefs could be lost at 2°C of warming.
4. Positive tipping points - Dr Tom Powell (7 minutes)
Some classes may have already heard about negative tipping points, such as ice sheet melt. Dr Powell will introduce some of the positive tipping points, such as in agriculture and transport, that could accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral society.
5. Live Q&A (16 minutes)
Students put their questions directly to all three scientists. Questions can span any of the session's themes - carbon science, tipping points, conservation, and careers in climate research.
6. Conclusions (3 minutes)
We end the live lesson by asking each scientist what students and teachers should do tomorrow to help tackle the climate challenge.
About the scientists
Professor Peter Mumby, University of Queensland
Research focus: coral reef ecology, marine conservation, climate adaptation
Dr Tom Powell, University of Exeter
Research focus: positive tipping points, energy and land use transitions
Dr Mike O'Sullivan, University of Exeter (tbc)
Research focus: global carbon cycle, land-atmosphere carbon exchange
Brought to you by
Teach the goals
Climate at the crossroads
Learn from three leading climate scientists in this live lesson from the Exeter Climate Forum. This is an opportunity to hear about three different perspectives on the climate challenge, with plenty of time for discussion afterwards.
Students will hear from Dr Mike O'Sullivan on the global carbon budget, Professor Peter Mumby on the impact of warming oceans on coral, and Dr Tom Powell on positive tipping points and the road to action and hope.
The format will be a quick introduction that frames the importance of climate change, followed by each speaker making a brief presentation in turn. The rest of the live lesson will be given to questions from the audience.
This session is designed for A-level students and senior secondary students with an interest in climate science, environmental policy, or related fields. Teachers and other related professionals are also welcome to attend.
Upcoming broadcast
- 45 mins
- Ages 16+ / Youth audience
This live lesson will be broadcast using YouTube Live.
Learning objectives
This live lesson supports students to:
Understand climate change through carbon budgets and fluxes
Examine a real-world case study of climate impact, the coral reef
Explore the concept of tipping points, both negative and positive, and how momentum and system change work in practice
Engage directly with working scientists and develop confidence in asking questions
Preparation
No specific prior knowledge is required, though students with some familiarity with the carbon cycle and basic climate science will find the session more accessible. Teachers may wish to revisit the fundamentals of the carbon cycle and the concept of feedback loops in advance.
Support
If this is your first time joining an Encounter Edu live lesson, please look at our support materials.
Submitting questions in advance
Teachers and students are strongly encouraged to submit questions before the session. With three scientists joining us, this is a rare opportunity to get specific, expert answers. Submitting questions in advance helps us make the most of the Q&A time.
Once registered, use the question box on this lesson page to submit questions. Questions can be added at any time before or during the broadcast.
Lesson steps
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
The scientists introduce themselves and their work, and then frame the lesson with their views on why climate change matters.
2. Carbon budgets and fluxes - Dr Mike O'Sullivan (7 minutes)
Dr O'Sullivan moves students beyond headline CO₂ figures to a more precise scientific picture. What is actually happening to global carbon levels right now? What is the difference between atmospheric concentration, a carbon flux, and a carbon budget, and why does that distinction change how we think about the climate challenge?
3. Coral and climate - Professor Peter Mumby (7 minutes)
Professor Peter Mumby explores the coral reef to show how rising temperatures impact marine health, with projections suggesting more than 99% of coral reefs could be lost at 2°C of warming.
4. Positive tipping points - Dr Tom Powell (7 minutes)
Some classes may have already heard about negative tipping points, such as ice sheet melt. Dr Powell will introduce some of the positive tipping points, such as in agriculture and transport, that could accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral society.
5. Live Q&A (16 minutes)
Students put their questions directly to all three scientists. Questions can span any of the session's themes - carbon science, tipping points, conservation, and careers in climate research.
6. Conclusions (3 minutes)
We end the live lesson by asking each scientist what students and teachers should do tomorrow to help tackle the climate challenge.
About the scientists
Professor Peter Mumby, University of Queensland
Research focus: coral reef ecology, marine conservation, climate adaptation
Dr Tom Powell, University of Exeter
Research focus: positive tipping points, energy and land use transitions
Dr Mike O'Sullivan, University of Exeter (tbc)
Research focus: global carbon cycle, land-atmosphere carbon exchange
Brought to you by
Teach the goals