Net Zero & Energy Transition
Evaluate the energy transition required to reach net zero: renewable energy scaling, electrification of transport and heat, green hydrogen; describe carbon capture and storage (CCS) and direct air capture (DAC); introduce proposed solar radiation management techniques (stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening) and their potential risks and governance challenges; critically evaluate the role of individual behaviour change versus systemic policy in reducing emissions
Lesson
Set out your lesson
“Net zero CO2 balances human CO2 emissions with human removals over a stated period. Avoiding emissions differs from removing atmospheric CO2. Other-gas claims need stated metrics. Energy changes need infrastructure, policy and choices. Proposed sunlight reflection would not remove CO2 or solve ocean acidification. Safety: No chemicals, electricity work, gas handling or intervention. No engineering, investment or family-spending advice. Stop: Stop after the paper recommendation. No hydrogen production, capture experiments, aerosol release, purchases, energy switching or political contacting.”
Bring to the table
- Paper
- Pencil
- Ruler
Extra for the adult
Worked example. Initial emissions are 100 minus 25, 20, 10 and 15: 30 tonnes. Removing 5 leaves net 25 tonnes CO2. In the revision, emissions fall by another 20 to 10; removals rise by 5 to 10. Answer: net zero, because 10 emitted matches 10 removed inside the annual boundary.
Optional challenge. Explain why uncertain future removals cannot be counted as delivered reductions.
What to notice. Keep budgets and recommendation. Note calculation, reading or writing help. This is supplied-data reasoning, not an actual emissions audit.
Share and support
Family records and proof options
Keep a record of your learning
Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Learning resources
Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.
PhET Interactive Simulations · Practice link — not the full lesson
Greenhouse Effect
Before you open · source notes
Greenhouse Effect supports hands-on exploration for Net Zero & Energy Transition. Not every lab worksheet.
Free interactive page, no sign-in required for the tested path.
Before you openAsk the learner what they changed in the sim or page and what they observed.
Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.
Source, access and review notes
Public PhET Interactive Simulations page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.
PhET Interactive Simulations. “Greenhouse Effect.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.
Unknown — link only
Check understanding
No checks listed
“Has your child heard of geoengineering? Can they describe one proposal for deliberately cooling the Earth and explain one potential risk of attempting it — and say whether they think individuals or governments bear more responsibility for tackling climate change?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Weather & Climate
- Age range
- Ages 13–14