In this student-centered lesson, Ss explore the issue of wildfires in the Mediterranean through the lens of climate change, EU cooperation, and the Sustainable Development Goals. They research prevention strategies and create an infographic with a student-led action idea. The activity promotes critical thinking, creativity, communication, and European citizenship.

Atudents will be able to: • understand the link between climate change and the increasing number of wildfires in the Mediterranean region. • analyze the causes and impacts of wildfires using charts and video resources. • evaluate EU responses and strategies for wildfire prevention and emergency cooperation. • design a visual infographic summarising prevention actions and proposing youth-led initiatives.

Introduction

• Students (Ss) are introduced to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and asked: Which ones are connected to climate change? (SDG 13, 15, 11) • teacher (T) briefly introduces different natural disasters connected with climate change, focusing on wildfires. • Ss take part in a small discussion: Have you ever read/heard about wildfires in Europe?

Wildfire Example – California

• Ss watch the video: Stunning new images emerge of intensifying California wildfires https://youtu.be/TyH6yeRaH1g?si=Wv8vkKWYIN3LY4F5 • Ss answer questions in pairs: 1. What caused the California wildfire? 2. How fast did it spread and what helped it spread? 3. How did it affect the local population and nature? 4. What emergency response was used?

Europe’s Wildfire Challenge

• Ss give examples of European countries most affected (Greece, Portugal, Italy, Spain). • Ss discuss: What do they have in common? (Mediterranean climate) • Ss analyze data using EFFIS (https://forest-fire.emergency.copernicus.eu/ ) maps & graphs • Ss work in groups to interpret fire trends

Root Causes

• Watch selected videos: o Wildfires in Portugal https://youtu.be/sNRJoaJfO70?si=smxitNcEvLTFsltl o How wildfires spread in Greece https://youtu.be/_Z9uaEcXARA?si=sjpfGHNf3n5PGjQe • Brainstorm reasons behind fire intensity and spread (drought, wind, heatwaves, human negligence, land use...)

EU to the Rescue – Policy Analysis

• Students explore: o RescEU: https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/resceu_en o Wildfires: https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/wildfires_en • Students summarise: How does the EU help fight wildfires? What are the shared responsibilities?

Student Action Plan & Infographic Creation – How Can We Prevent Wildfires

• In pairs, students complete research and create an infographic: o 3–5 prevention tips o 1 EU initiative (e.g. RescEU, EFFIS) o 1 student-led action or campaign idea

Gallery Walk & Reflection

• Ss share infographics via Padlet Wall. • Ss comment, give stars, and vote for: o “Most Informative” o “Best Student Initiative”