The Carbon Cycle KS3 Geography

This comprehensive lesson introduces students to the Earth’s Carbon Cycle and the concept of Blue Carbon, highlighting their critical roles in regulating our planet’s climate. Through a series of engaging activities, students will explore the movement of carbon through various Earth systems and understand the importance of coastal ecosystems in carbon sequestration.

Key lesson components include:
Exploring the carbon cycle and its influence on Earth’s climate
Investigating the** links between the carbon cycle, greenhouse effect, and climate change**
Introducing the concept of Blue Carbon and its role in carbon sequestration
Mapping and analysing major blue carbon habitats using GIS tools
Examining human impacts on the carbon cycle and exploring potential solutions

This lesson aligns closely with the KS3 Geography curriculum, covering aspects of locational knowledge, physical geography, and the interaction between human activity and natural systems. It also provides valuable cross-curricular links with Science, particularly in ecosystem studies.

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
Explain the basic carbon cycle and its components
Describe the connection between the carbon cycle, greenhouse effect, and climate change
Define blue carbon and explain its importance
Identify and locate major blue carbon habitats
Discuss human impacts on the carbon cycle and potential mitigation strategies

Curriculum links
Geography KS3
Locational knowledge of environmental regions
Physical geography weather and climate, hydrology
Understanding how human activity relies on the effective functioning of natural systems
Interpret a range of maps, globes and GIS to interpret and analyse places
Cross-curricular connections
Science: Ecosystems