In this climate change lesson, students solve real-world word problems and use packing peanuts to visualize the amount of carbon dioxide produced daily by cars. This hands-on activity helps students grasp the scale of CO2 emissions in a tangible way. Students then engage in a “natural carbon sink” simulation to learn how forests, oceans, and other ecosystems absorb and store carbon, highlighting the importance of protecting natural areas in the fight against climate change.

Use this video alongside our Counting Carbon lesson plan to help students understand carbon sinks and their impact on Earth’s changing climate. To download a free copy of the lesson plan PDF, click the green button below.