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, 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’…

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

Pollution: Expedition to Planet Blueball

This lesson explores the issues of pollution of our planet and sustainable power. It is based around an animated story, involving the Go-Givers characters, in which creatures from a friendly…

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

Saving Energy

In this lesson pupils will learn what is meant by the term energy source. They will consider how they use energy in their lives and be introduced to the basic…

More Community resources

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

Plastic Pollution (KS2)

Find out more about the impact of plastic on our oceans. Watch this introductory video and use our free...

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

Rules

This lesson explores the purpose and importance of rules and offers suggestions as to how to make and display class ‘Ground Rules’. Learning activities: Where did Humpty Dumpty go wrong?…

Lessons, Digital Citizenship, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Using Technology for Good

In this lesson pupils will consider the multiple uses of technology and how technology can be used to solve problems. Pupils will be introduced to the example of Trevor Baylis,…

More Health and Wellbeing resources

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

Social Media and the Law (KS3) (SmartLaw Subscription)

Students explore the law in relation to social media posts, the types of offences that people are committing (whether knowingly or not) and the consequences of committing these offences. The…

Lessons, Relationships, KS2 (ages 7-11)

Respect

This lesson explores the nature of respect. It considers respect for oneself, respect for others, respect in sport and respect for the environment. Suitable for all of KS2. Links: British values,…

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...

More Politics and Democracy resources

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

Citizenship: a privilege or a right?

Students research what the law says about the rights of individuals to become UK citizens and critically examine whether...

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...

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...

More Social Action/Active Citizenship resources

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

The G7 (Lesson Plan)

During this two lesson resource pupils learn about the G7 and take part in a mock G7 Summit meeting.   During the first lesson pupils explore the history and function…

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

Saving Energy

In this lesson pupils will learn what is meant by the term energy source. They will consider how they use energy in their lives and be introduced to the basic…

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

We are Change-Makers (poster)

We stand up for what we believe in and use our voice for good. To access this content, register for our School Subscription.

More Sustainability and the Environment resources

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

Climate Change

Learners explore what climate change is and what is causing it.  They consider who is responsible for climate change:  individuals, politicians, businesses?  They are then challenged to think of a…

Classroom Toolkits, Politics and Democracy, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Controversial issues: guidance for schools

Children are alert to information and images they see in the media. These may graphically influence their view of the world, and not always positively. Graphic images on TV and…

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...

More Understanding Rules & The Law resources

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

Law Makers (SmartLaw Subscription)

In this lesson students examine what the rule of law is and why we need it. They consider how and why laws are made in the UK and what the…

Lessons, Understanding Rules & The Law, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Why Do We Have Rules?

In this lesson pupils will think about the purpose of rules by reflecting on what life might be like without them. Pupils will discuss different types of rules in the…

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...

More KS4 (ages 14-16) resources

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

Law in Wales

Did you know that the age of criminal responsibility in Wales is ten? In Scotland it is 12. In...

Classroom Toolkits, Politics and Democracy, KS1 (ages 5-7)

Controversial issues: guidance for schools

Children are alert to information and images they see in the media. These may graphically influence their view of...

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…

More KS5 (ages 16-18) resources

Lessons, Economics, Money and Managing Resources, KS5 (ages 16-18)

The Government and the Economy

By the end of the lesson students will: Understand key economic terms including taxation, welfare benefits, public spending and...

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, 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...