This Geography scheme of work video supports teachers in exploring the growing threats to desert environments and how these challenges link to global climate change. Pupils will examine the impact of rising temperatures, long-term droughts and extreme weather events like flash floods, and reflect on how these changes affect desert ecosystems.

The video explains how climate change is contributing to the expansion of deserts—known as desertification—by making it harder for soil to retain moisture and support vegetation. Teachers are supported in guiding pupils through a range of desert threats, including deforestation, renewable energy developments, mining, overgrazing and intensive farming.  While threats to deserts continue to increase, the video also touches on positive human responses, such as crop rotation and planting drought-resistant species. Teachers are encouraged to prompt pupil discussions around how climate change is a key driver of desertification and what actions individuals and communities can take to address it.

See more of our Year 5 and Year 6 Geography scheme of work and our Mixed-age Geography scheme of work.

• Geography, Year 5, Would you like to live in the desert?, Lesson 5: What are the threats to deserts?
• Geography. Y5/6 (A).  Would you like to live in the desert?,Y5/6 (A): Lesson 5: What are the threats to deserts?