Learn how the systems behind the climate crisis work. In this unit, a comprehensive text guides students through what a system is, the fossil fuel energy system, and the leverage points that create systemic change.
Learning objectives:
- Explain what a system is and what systemic change looks like for climate change;
- Understand what leverage points are and how they can trigger systemic change;
- Research case studies and communicate the systems driving a conflict;
GreenComp alignment:
- Systems thinking
- Futures literacy
- Exploratory thinking
This unit could be used in humanities, politics, or law classes (or similar). We recommend having also used our units on climate justice
Unit project:
Students should choose a commodity and use an online database (the Environmental Justice Atlas) to find case studies in environmental justice involved in this commodity and to create a report based on these. By doing this, students should be able to describe the system behind the chosen commodity. You can decide what sort of report the students produce in their project, but the researching and analysing in terms of systems is the main task.
Time frame:
We recommend spending two or three classes on this unit. More than one class should be spent on the “Learn” part of the unit, to allow time for comprehending each leverage point. The research and reporting can be partly done as homework, or completely during class.
The link to the lesson slides are included in the pdf
Also attached is a pdf example of a pitch written by a student.
Extra resources for further reading
The Donella Meadows Institute / Thinking in Systems
- Meadows, D. (1999): Leverage points – Places to intervene in a system. https://donellameadows.org/archives/leverage-points-places-to-intervene-in-a-system/
- Systems thinking resources that can be used in the classroom. https://donellameadows.org/systems-thinking-resources/
- Activity on guided envisioning of a sustainable world. https://donellameadows.org/wp-content/userfiles/Guided-Envisioning-of-a-Sustainable-World-1.pdf
The Club of RomeThe 50 Percent (2025): Young Person’s Guide to Systems Change. https://www.clubofrome.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-Young-Persons-Guide-to-Systems-Change-The-50-Percent-1MB-compressed.pdf
