The Ministry for the Future

Read “Climate Change Disinformation and How to Combat It.” This research paper explores the many barriers that stand in the way of effective communication about climate change. Once you thoroughly understand the key ideas this paper advances, answer the following question, offering specific evidence from The Ministry for the Future in support of your answer:

Is The Ministry for the Future an effective piece of messaging about climate change? Why or why not?

Teaching Suggestion: If your students will be answering this question aloud, one possibility for structuring such a discussion is as a debate. You might ask students to develop preliminary answers in a brief written form (outlines, lists, visual maps, etc.), then divide students into discussion groups, trying to ensure that each group reflects a diversity of opinions. Conversely, if your students will be answering in written form, you might allow for a brief period of debate as a prewriting activity.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students with organizational or attentional learning differences may benefit from using a T-chart as they gather evidence regarding the book’s effectiveness. They might write down the hallmarks of effective communication on climate change mentioned in the article on one side of their chart, then use this list to guide their search for evidence in The Ministry for the Future.