In this video, Greta Thunberg explains why she walked out of school and organized a strike compelling listeners to take urgent action to address climate change.
Students will learn about greenhouse gas emissions, the 2015 Paris Agreement, extinction rates, and other issues surrounding this sustainability crisis.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This video is a compelling and emotional wake-up call urging immediate action.
Greta Thunberg is relatable to students as she is a young person who talks about how climate issues impact her own future.
Additional Prerequisites
This video has a highlighted transcript and subtitles available in 37 languages.
It may help students to have familiarity with the Paris Agreement.
Greta discusses her diagnosis with Asberger Syndrome and her period of anorexia, which may need to be addressed with students.
Differentiation
Language Arts classes could engage in writing tasks where students are asked to write reflection papers, citing the aspects of the video that they found to be most influential and inspiring.
Cross-curricular connections could be made in social studies classes as students do a deeper dive into the Paris Agreement and research civics and equity issues that surround this treaty.
Greta Thunberg claims that the climate crisis has already been solved. This interactive table of climate solutions from Project Drawdown lists solutions with their potential abilities to reduce global emissions.
Other resources on this topic include this video which is an apology to future generations, this article about the power of individual and household actions to fight climate change, and this podcast which pieces together interviews about global solutions to climate problems.
Scientist Notes
This is an inspiring piece, calling on everyone to take urgent climate action. Climate scientists have already provided accurate data on the climate system. It is now imperative to take actions for a better and sustainable planet. This video is recommended for teaching.
Standards
English Language Arts
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
9-10.SL.2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.
11-12.SL.2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media in order to make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data.
Science
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
6.ESS3.5 Ask clarifying questions based on evidence about the factors that have caused climate change over the past century.
Social Sciences
Social Science Analysis (K-12)
8.34 Analyze how a specific problem can manifest itself at local, regional, and global levels over time, identifying its characteristics and causes, and the challenges and opportunities faced by those trying to address the problem.
