Ocean Heroes: Coastal Frontline Communities and Climate Justice

Provided by: The Nature Conservancy |Published on: May 25, 2023

Videos Grades 6-8, 9-12

Synopsis

This Nature Lab video highlights programs and efforts to engage with youth and many disadvantaged groups about the risks of our changing oceans, careers in science, and ways to express their feelings through art.
It covers issues of climate justice for many groups and the need to advocate for action to protect the oceans.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: Science, Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts

Authors: Nature Lab by The Nature Conervancy

Region: Global

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

Although the video covers serious topics related to climate change, it presents youth taking action to help the environment, resulting in a positive and hopeful tone.
Advocacy through art is highlighted, and this can serve as an entry point for many students to care and take action for the ocean and the environment.
The video lays out a nice blueprint for ways that youth can organize to engage their community in taking positive steps to combat climate change and threats to the ocean.

Additional Prerequisites

Learners should be familiar with the effects of climate change on the ocean and coastal communities, such as sea level rise, coastal flooding, ocean acidification, and coral bleaching.

Differentiation

This lesson plan includes this video, vocabulary, standards, and additional resources, and was created by Nature Lab by The Nature Conservancy.
This video would be a great source of inspiration for an interdisciplinary project engaging civics and science, or art and science for climate change advocacy.
Consider having students investigate ways they could improve their local watershed or waterways and create an action plan.
Have students write a poem or illustrated essay describing their connection to water and how they could protect this vulnerable resource.
Encourage students to host an action day at school to create art to advocate for the environment or to clean up trash in their watershed.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

About the Partner Provider

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. The Nature Conservancy has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world.