Multiple ecological crisis

Activity title

Climate Crisis Table Quiz

Overview

Participants sit together in small groups (3-4 people) and answer questions about the climate crisis, which the trainer reads out. Afterwards, the groups discuss  the answers to the thought-     provoking questions.

Objectives

• To gain an insight into some of the core issues of the climate crisis

Materials

–

Time

10 – 30 minutes

Group size

Works for all group sizes, or online with programs like Mentimeter

Instructions for trainers

1. Break up the class into small groups.
2. Read out the questions for each round. 
3. After each round give the answers to the questions and encourage discussion. What answers surprised them? Why?

Round 1

1. Which percentage of the global primary energy supply comes from fossil fuels? A) Around 30% B) Around 55% C) Around 80%
2. True or false? Climate change is a linear process that is currently becoming faster and faster.
3. True or false? Deforestation and habitat destruction can cause the outbreak of new diseases.
4. True or false? Since the beginning of the 20th century, around 20 percent of the species on earth have become extinct.
5. A half degree difference: A how much greater loss of insects is forecasted if the average rise in temperature is 2 degrees instead of 1.5 degrees? A) Twice as big B) Three times as big C) Five times the size

Round 2 

1. True or false? While the poorest half of the world´s population emits only about 10% of total global emissions, the richest 10% are responsible for around 50%.
2. True or false? The 100 companies and organizations responsible for the highest emissions have been the source of more than 80% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions emitted since 1988. 
3. True or false? Already today, more people lose their means of existence due to extreme weather events than due to violence and war.
4. True or false? Worldwide, air, water and soil pollutants cause nine million deaths, three times as many as AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined.
5. True or false? In 2016 air pollution caused nearly 30.000 premature deaths in Europe.

Debriefing and evaluation

Answer Sheet Round 1:

1. C. Of the total primary energy supply 28% comes from coal, 22% from gas and 32% from oil.
2. False. The climate crisis is even more dangerous, as temperatures do not simply rise linearly. If so-called tipping points are exceeded, entire subsystems of the global climate system can collapse.
3. True. Many newly emerging pathogens are of animal origin. Habitat destruction brings wildlife closer to human settlements which can lead to the outbreak of diseases. For example, Ebola (origin bat species) is more common after large scale deforestation, and also mosquito-borne diseases are more common in deforested areas. 
4. True. Particularly industrial agriculture contributes to the extinction of species to an unprecedented extent through deforestation and the use of pesticides and machinery.
5. B. Due to a global warming of 1,5 degrees it is forecasted that 6% of insects lose at least half their species range. For a global warming of 2 degrees even a loss of 18% of the insects is forecasted, which means a three times as big species loss.  

Answer Sheet Round 2:

1. True.
2. False. The 100 companies and organizations responsible for the highest emissions have been the source of 71% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions emitted since 1988.
3. True.  Furthermore, if the climate goals of the Paris Agreement are not met, large parts of the earth will become uninhabitable for humans before the end of this century.
4. True. 
5. False. In 2016 air pollution led to nearly 500.000 premature deaths in Europe.

Tips for trainers

The activity can be shortened by playing only one round or by leaving less time for discussion.