Why Some Climate Experts Criticized What Happened at COP28
Ask students: What is the United Nations climate conference known as? Who is Michael Mann, and what is his background? Where was the conference hosted?
Summary
As the COP28 climate conference drew to a close last week, countries are racing against the clock. The focus of COP, made up of more than 100 nations, included discussion of decreasing the use of coal, oil and gas but reversed course on earlier drafts advocating for the eventual phasing out fossil fuels. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Michael Mann, one of the climate experts critical of what happened at the summit.
For a transcript of this story, click here. The segment was recorded a few days before the conference ended on Dec. 12, 2023.
Time codes
Start to 3:57 — To learn about what happened at the COP28 conference.
3:58 to end — To listen to the arguments influential corporations are making about decarbonization goals.
News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
Warm up questions:
- What is the United Nations climate conference known as?
- Who is Michael Mann, and what is his background?
- Where was the conference hosted?
- Why does Mann find it ironic that Saudi Arabia is hosting this event?
- How does Mann think "bad actors" should be handled?
Focus Questions
How do you think global politics will influence preparations across the world for climate change?
Media literacy: How can news outlets report on political subjects while remaining unbiased?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
For More:
What students can do: Watch this video about climate experts criticizing what’s happened at the COP28 climate conference and answer the following question — What can you personally do about climate change?
Additionally: Check out this article by the BBC about the COP28 president denying using the summit for oil deals.
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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