Feedbacks and tipping points – Edexcel IAL Geography

A fully editable, ready-to-teach lesson on Feedbacks and tipping points for Edexcel International A Level (IAL) Geography, Unit 1: Global Challenges – World at Risk.

Lesson aim: To explain how feedback mechanisms could trigger climate tipping points.

Learning outcomes

• To explain positive and negative feedback
• To explain ice–albedo, ocean carbon sink and forest dieback feedbacks
• To evaluate the risk of crossing climate tipping points

Specification: Causes and impacts of global warming — key idea 2 (feedbacks and tipping points)

What’s included

• Editable PowerPoint lesson (12 slides)
• Word worksheet with tasks for this lesson

Lesson overview

• Starter: Imagine pushing a ball up a hill. Up to the top, it rolls back if you let go. Past the top, it rolls away on its own.
• Key terms
• Ice–albedo feedback
• A weakening ocean carbon sink
• Forest dieback
• Climate tipping points
• Are there any negative feedbacks that could slow warming?
• Feedback loops
• Exam practice: Explain how feedback mechanisms could make future global warming greater than expected. (6)
• Homework task

This lesson is part of my complete Edexcel IAL Geography World at Risk unit, which is also available in my shop if you would like every lesson in the topic.

Want a free sample? Visit The Geography Teacher website.