AP Environmental Science

Explore free resources that align with your AP Environmental Science curriculum.

a scientist examines plants in a greenhouse

CFR Education offers a range of free resources that can supplement your AP Environmental Science curriculum. Browse readings, timelines, videos, and simulations covering climate issues and other topics related to environmental science.

Skills students learn with CFR Education Environmental Science Resources:

  • explaining key scientific concepts and how they impact us
  • analyzing texts, visual representations, data to understand environmental issues
  • evaluating various policy options to address environmental issues

Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity

Climate Change and the Coffee Industry

Video
In this educational video, learn how climate change's effects on agriculture can have serious economic consequences for the world.

How Climate Change Reduces Biodiversity

Reading
Climate Change is straining the earth’s ecosystems. Learn how humans can adapt to protect them. 

Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources

How Climate Change Can Get Even Worse

Reading
Climate change can amplify itself through feedback loops. It can also trigger catastrophic “tipping points.” 

Unit 5: Land and Water Use

Climate Change Adaptations

Reading
Explore how eleven countries are adapting to the effects of climate change in this free resource.

What Is Water Scarcity?

Reading
Is there a global water crisis? In this free resource, learn how climate change is causing water scarcity to worsen worldwide.

How to Lower Agriculture and Land-Use Emissions

Reading
Agriculture is warming the planet. Changing how we farm and manage land can decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

How Climate Change Reduces Biodiversity

Reading
Climate Change is straining the earth’s ecosystems. Learn how humans can adapt to protect them. 

Protecting Global Food and Water Supplies in a Warming World

Reading
Discover how climate change is diminishing global food and water security, and how the world can adapt to those vital resource challenges.   

How Climate Change is a Collective Action Problem

Video
The world can work together in the fight against climate change, but there are challenges to international cooperation.

Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption

The Inflation Reduction Act

Reading
What is the IRA? In this free resource, learn what the United States' largest-ever climate change legislation does.

How To Lower Energy-Sector Emissions

Reading
Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy can help mitigate climate change.

How to Lower Industry-Sector Emissions

Reading
Industrial emissions pose big challenges for the climate. Innovative industrial solutions can make a difference.

How to Address the Economic Costs of Climate Change

Reading
Climate change–related weather events will destroy bridges, roads, homes, and even power plants—unless those structures become more resilient.

How Renewables Can Boost a Country's Energy Security

Video
Climate change poses energy security challenges, but building more renewable sources and taking other steps can help strengthen supply and lower risks.

Why Electric Grids Need to Be More Resilient

Reading
Severe weather is causing costly disruptions. To protect the energy grid, countries need a smarter plan. 

Why Energy Storage is Essential for a Green Transition

Reading
 Learn how energy storage can provide reliable renewable energy.

Sources of Energy: A Comparison

Reading
Learn how turning toward cleaner energy sources means factoring in economic and energy needs alongside environmental ones.

Why Is The Free Flow of Oil Important?

Reading
Why does the price of oil change so much? Learn how crude oil affects the global economy and the potential for economic development, and how fluctuating prices can contribute to crises.

Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution

What Is Geoengineering?

Reading
Learn more about the promises and perils of artificially manipulating the environment to combat climate change. 

How Climate Change Affects Our Health

Reading
A warmer world threatens more extreme weather and infectious disease, but policymakers can counter climate change’s damages to global health.

Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution

Should the United States Ratify the Law of the Sea?

Mini Simulation
In this mini-simulation explore whether or not the United States should ratify the UN Convention's Law of the Sea.

Unit 9: Global Change

Climate Change Adaptations

Reading
Explore how eleven countries are adapting to the effects of climate change in this free resource.

Should the United States Ratify the Law of the Sea?

Mini Simulation
In this mini-simulation explore whether or not the United States should ratify the UN Convention's Law of the Sea.

What Is Climate Change?

Video
In this educational video, learn why the climate is changing, how it affects us, and what we can do about it.

What Is Geoengineering?

Reading
Learn more about the promises and perils of artificially manipulating the environment to combat climate change. 

Climate Change and the Coffee Industry

Video
In this educational video, learn how climate change's effects on agriculture can have serious economic consequences for the world.

How Climate Change Can Get Even Worse

Reading
Climate change can amplify itself through feedback loops. It can also trigger catastrophic “tipping points.” 

Why Scientists Are Watching Greenland

Reading
In this free climate change resource, learn why melting ice in Greenland is causing global sea level rise.

How Humans Cause Climate Change

Reading
Every aspect of modern life carries hidden environmental costs. Recognizing the human-driven causes of climate change can help build a more sustainable future.  

The Greenhouse Effect

Reading
How do greenhouse gas emissions contribute to global warming? Learn why the world is getting warmer in this free climate change resource.

Protecting Global Food and Water Supplies in a Warming World

Reading
Discover how climate change is diminishing global food and water security, and how the world can adapt to those vital resource challenges.   

Solar Geoengineering

Mini Simulation
Should the United States consider the use of solar geoengineering to combat climate change? Explore this simulation.

How Climate Change is a Collective Action Problem

Video
The world can work together in the fight against climate change, but there are challenges to international cooperation.

Stopping Deforestation in the Amazon

Mini Simulation
Should the United States take action to stop deforestation in the Amazon to combat climate change? Explore this simulation.

How Climate Change Affects Our Health

Reading
A warmer world threatens more extreme weather and infectious disease, but policymakers can counter climate change’s damages to global health.

U.S. Arctic Policy

Mini Simulation
Should the United States launch a new Arctic policy in response to climate change and investments from countries like China and Russia in the region? Explore this simulation.

Why Electric Grids Need to Be More Resilient

Reading
Severe weather is causing costly disruptions. To protect the energy grid, countries need a smarter plan. 

Global Climate Change Policy (NSC)

Simulation

Global Climate Change Policy (UNSC)

Simulation

Hurricane in the Caribbean

Mini Simulation
How should the United States assist small island nations facing disasters? Explore this simulation.