Based on the excellent book “What’s the worst that could happen? A rational response to the climate change debate” and the accompanying videos on YouTube, this is a great foundation for some Biology and TOK linking. It fits nicely with topic 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect, and is a good introduction to the precautionary principle (though not explicitly named that way) as well as a solid, readable (watchable) and entertaining introduction to the scientific method and critical thinking.

In the video below, science teacher, author and YouTube star Greg Craven presents a refined outline of his original idea (The Most Terrifying Video You’ll Ever See), How It All Ends:

–

I’ll expand on this resource over time, but here are some guiding questions to start:

1. What leads us to believe in authority figures and why do we give them credence? How do we distinguish reliable source from unreliable sources?

2. What is confirmation bias and how is it dangerous in the mind of the true scientific thinker?

3. How could the decision grid be used in any risk-related decision?

4. How could we apply the credibility spectrum to our decision making and assigning credibility to sources of information?

5. Is it as important to determine who is ‘right’ as it is to make a decision on the best possible action to take?

–

There is stacks of information and support on Greg Craven’s website: http://www.gregcraven.org/

For a nice graphic distinguishing warmers from skeptics, head on over to Information Is Beautiful.