Resource

Biodiversity: Using the Law to Drive Change

Without biodiversity there would be no life on Earth. According to statistics released by the UN environment programme, we are experiencing a dangerous decline in biodiversity. Within the next 100 years up to half of the world’s species could be lost.

In this lesson students consider who is responsible for protecting biodiversity across the globe and explore what actions they can take to make their voices heard on this issue.

Photo credit: Anne Jones

Overview

During this lesson, students consider what biodiversity is, why it is essential to all life on Earth and what is causing its loss. They examine who has responsibility for minimising and preventing biodiversity loss, and explore how the rule of law can be used to tackle this. Finally, they will be introduced to key laws concerning biodiversity, and critically consider how the law can be applied in different scenarios.

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • Describe what is meant by the term biodiversity and why it is important;
  • Explore who is responsible for tackling biodiversity loss considering a range of different groups across society;
  • Explain how the law can play a part in protecting biodiversity;
  • Critically consider how the law could be used to instigate change;
  • Describe a change they would like to see implemented to tackle biodiversity loss, and/ or an action they can take to support biodiversity.

Acknowledgments:

This classroom resource was developed in partnership with and funded by the international law firm CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP.

We would like to thank the staff and pupils at Stanground Academy and Parliament Hill School for their input during the piloting of this resource.

 

Photo credit: Anne Jones

More Lessons resources

Lessons, Health and Wellbeing, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Resilience: Bouncing Back

This lesson helps children to develop resilience and consider how to respond to challenges in a positive way. The Go-Givers characters share their experiences of difficult situations and how they…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Mock Trials Classroom Pack

The Mock Trial Competitions are our longest-running active citizenship experiences. Since 1991, we have provided unparalleled exposure to the...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Magna Carta

During this lessons pupils will look at the history of the Magna Carta and consider how it has helped shape the laws we have today.   Pupils consider what ‘fairness’…

More Community resources

Lessons, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS1 (ages 5-7)

The Golden Statue

In this lesson pupils will read an adapted version of a Buddhist legend that encourages them to reflect on how the generosity with which a gift is given is more…

Lessons, Diversity and Inclusion, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Design an Inclusive Playground

In this lesson pupils will consider the varying needs and interests of the Go-Giver characters and design a playground that matches these requirements. They will work in groups to present…

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Brexit: Part 1 – Referendum

Pupils will be given a brief introduction to the European Union. They will learn about why people’s opinions about the EU are divided and the results of the EU referendum.…

More Health and Wellbeing resources

Lessons, Health and Wellbeing, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Let’s Get Active!

In this lesson pupils will think about the physical and mental benefits of exercise for health and wellbeing. They will learn about the importance of keeping active as part a…

Lessons, Health and Wellbeing, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Caring for Pets

This lesson starts with a simple story that helps children to explore what responsibilities come with owning a pet. Children then go on to look at what happens when pets…

Lessons, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Making a Difference From Home

Our packs support KS2 and KS3 pupils to plan and deliver their very own mini social action project. By...

More Politics and Democracy resources

Student Tools, Politics and Democracy, KS3 (ages 11-14)

How to share learning with your peers

Originally designed to be a companion pack for the Democracy Ambassadors programme, this handy toolkit will support students who...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS5 (ages 16-18)

An Introduction to Human Rights

In this lesson students will explore our rights and responsibilities and how they are protected in law. They are...

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Mock G7 Pack

The UK hosted the G7 Summit in June 2021. Young Citizens wants to engage young people across the UK...

More Social Action/Active Citizenship resources

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS2 (ages 7-11)

The Value of Trees

This lesson is one of a collection which examine environmental issues.  In this lesson pupils will learn about the role trees play in supporting life on Earth and their importance…

Student Tools, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

How to Make a Persuasive Presentation

Do you care passionately about helping a certain charity or supporting a particular cause but think if more people got involved you could make an even bigger difference? How can…

Assemblies, Social Action/Active Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Inspirational People – Nelson Mandela

This assembly is an introduction to the life and work of Nelson Mandela. You may like to run it in conjunction with the lesson ‘Inspirational People.’    To access this content,…

More Sustainability and the Environment resources

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Litter: The Picnic

In this lesson pupils will follow the story of the Go-Givers having a picnic.  Pupils will think about the problems caused by littering and how they can take responsibility for…

Assemblies, Sustainability and the Environment, KS2 (ages 7-11)

The G7 (Assembly Pack)

During this assembly pupils explore the history and function of the G7 and are introduced to the sort of discussions held at the annual G7 Summit. They learn about the…

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Protecting Local Habitats (KS2)

In this lesson pupils will learn about the importance of habitats and explore endangered British species and the threats to their habitat. Pupils will be guided through ways in which…

More Understanding Rules & The Law resources

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Discrimination

In this lesson pupils will develop their understanding of the term ‘discrimination’. Pupils will consider what makes them unique and learn which characteristics are protected under the Equality Act. Pupils…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS5 (ages 16-18)

Housing Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

In this lesson students explore a range of different housing situations someone can find themselves in. They examine some of the common legal issues concerning housing including common landlord and…

Understanding Rules & The Law, KS3 (ages 11-14)

Sentencing Guidelines (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson asks students to consider the key findings of a harassment trial and conclude what sentence should be given to the guilty party. During the course of the lesson…

More KS4 (ages 14-16) resources

Lessons, Sustainability and the Environment, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Biodiversity: Using the Law to Drive Change

During this lesson, students consider what biodiversity is, why it is essential to all life on Earth and what...

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Sexting and the Law (SmartLaw Subscription)

This lesson explores what the law says in relation to the sending of sexually explicit images by those aged under 18. The lesson examines two scenarios of young people involved…

Understanding Rules & The Law, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Family Law – Cohabitation and Marriage (SmartLaw Subscription)

During the course of the lesson students will learn the difference between marriage and cohabitation and consider what legal rights come with both. Students will  explore the changing attitudes in…

More KS5 (ages 16-18) resources

Lessons, Politics and Democracy, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Mock Parliament Debate

Aimed at students in KS4 and 5 (13-18 year olds) the pack is designed to be delivered over a...

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Climate Action: Circular Economies

During this lesson students explore how the economy can be used to support climate action and create a more...

Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS4 (ages 14-16)

Ethics, Innovation and the Law

Aimed at KS4 and Post-16, your students will: Explore the way technology is developing and the impacts this has...