The Urgency of Climate Action
Provided by: Project Look Sharp|Published on: April 27, 2021|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, AP
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Civics
Authors: Project Look Sharp, Sox Sperry
Location: Africa, North America, North America > United States
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 →
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 is a 30-60-minute media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two video clips that will inspire young people to become climate change champions.
- The first video is of Desmond Tutu discussing the urgent need for climate action.
- The second video is a clip from the documentary An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, which is about Former Vice President Al Gore's continued climate change advocacy.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The lesson plan has discussion questions for social studies, science, ELA, and media literacy, which teachers can select from to customize this activity.
- The lesson plan and the videos can be downloaded and used offline.
Additional Prerequisites
- Teachers should review the "How to Use These Materials" document prior to using the activity with students.
- Teachers must create a free Project Look Sharp account to access these materials.
Differentiation
- This activity can vary in length depending on how it is used. For a shorter activity like a bellringer or hook, teachers can select one or two questions, and for a longer activity, more questions can be used.
- This activity is ideal for creating awareness about the lives of people in underdeveloped countries.
- This can be used in a media literacy class to discuss the use of effects, music, and other filmmaking techniques.
- Students could use these videos as inspiration to create their own videos encouraging climate action.
- Other similar activities by Project Look Sharp include What Is Environmental Justice?, Community Responses to Climate Disaster Recovery, and Transition to Renewable Energy Now.
Students can explore to gain a wide latitude on climate activism, climate justice, and the importance to take urgent climate action. 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 →
