How can electric vehicles be used most effectively to combat climate change? How can we improve the impact of agriculture on people and our planet? Can we restore native ecosystems while mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis?

Strategic Energy Innovation’s (SEI) new Climate Solutions Toolkit engages students in asking questions like these as they wrestle with how best to solve one of our planet’s most pressing problems: the threat of changing weather patterns across the globe. While many resources teach students why climate change is happening and its consequences, few encourage them to think critically about the many ways we have to solve this problem, providing both lively engagement and necessary inspiration to take action. 

This toolkit includes an educator guide, detailed case studies, a curated list of additional climate solutions, and a glossary for educators. Together, these resources provide an inquiry-based framework for facilitating students’ evaluation of a variety of climate solutions and key examples of how educators can use this framework to facilitate discussions about regenerative agriculture, ecosystem restoration, electric vehicles, and more. 

For example, the case study "Electric Vehicles and Sustainable Transportation" offers a comprehensive roadmap for students to explore how we transition from a fossil-fuel-reliant past to a zero-emission future. It dives deep into the transportation sector—currently responsible for 29% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions—and discusses various electric vehicle (EV) technologies including battery, hybrid, and fuel cell options. 

Beyond the tech, this module pushes students to think critically about the holistic lifecycle of climate solutions. It doesn't shy away from complex realities, such as the environmental impact of lithium-ion battery manufacturing, the human rights concerns surrounding cobalt mining, and difficulties in EV access. By connecting vehicle technology to broader themes of urban sprawl and the necessity of public transit, students learn about the systemic shifts required to build a truly sustainable world.

With a mission to work with in building climate leaders, SEI has long been focused on partnering with educators to provide students the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the sustainability workforce with confidence and a sense of purpose. The SEI team presented this newly developed resource at the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)’s 2025 virtual conference. 

Educators can request access to the toolkit using a quick form. If you have any questions or need assistance accessing the Toolkit, email energizeschools@seiinc.org.

Fill out the form to request the toolkit >>