Does Nature Have Rights?
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Provided by: PBS|Published on: October 24, 2023
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This engaging video describes the threats facing natural ecosystems and details the reasons why Ecuador included a legal right for nature to exist in its constitution.
- Beautiful conservation areas are shown, along with numerous animals and plants in the biodiverse forests in Ecuador.
- The video includes interviews with numerous locals and youth that provide examples of how humans are engaged in saving natural ecosystems.
Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: PBS
Region: South and Central America, Global
Languages: English, Spanish
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This video will interest learners due to its depictions of animals, forests, insects, and colorful flowers.
- Students will be introduced to climate change heroes who are dedicated to saving the species and biodiversity of the rainforest.
- The career paths of scientists and biologists are presented as exciting, noble, and adventurous throughout the presentation.
Additional Prerequisites
- There may be a brief PBS commercial before the video begins.
- Part of the video discusses a young climate activist who died from cancer.
- Teachers may wish to have students find Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands on a globe prior to viewing the video.
- The closed-captioning does not always directly align with the narration.
- Spanish is spoken by some people in the video, but their words are translated on the screen.
Differentiation
- An extension lesson could be developed for geography classes where students research the species of animals and plants that live in the Ecuadorian rainforest.
- Connections can be made in social studies classes studying the U.S. Constitution and/or the definition of legal rights.
- Orchids and vanilla are mentioned and shown extensively, so an actual orchid and pod of vanilla can be visual aids to include in the classroom.
- Language arts or civics teachers can use the video in lessons about gathering evidence and making persuasive arguments.
- Science classes can use this video to support lessons about ecosystems, habitats, biodiversity, synergistic relationships, or interdependent relationships between plants and animals.
This video resource from PBS highlights conservation work in Ecuador made possible by the fact that the rights of nature were enshrined in Ecuador’s constitution in 2008. This video features beautiful images of the rainforest and species that are endemic to Ecuador, and shows how young people are leading much of the work. The idea of nature having rights looms large in this presentation, providing a topic for classroom discussion. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
