Responding to Global Problems

Activity - Classroom

Grades8, 9, 10, 11, 12Geography, English Language Arts

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Project Look Sharp

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What it is

In this media literacy activity from Project Look Sharp, students will analyze two different viewpoints on global cooperation.
Students will watch videos of two speakers discussing globalism vs. nationalism, each with different viewpoints on how to solve global issues.

Teaching tips

Positives

This activity not only allows students to hear two different points of view, but also to hear two different speaking styles.
This activity is a quick and low-prep option for media literacy.

Prerequisites

Teachers should note that the speaker says the word "hell" in the video Why Globalism Fails and Nationalism is Relatable.
Students should be familiar with climate change and other global issues.

Differentiation & Implementation

Teachers can use this activity in a lesson about the UN Sustainable Development Goals by using them as an example of an attempt at global cooperation to solve global problems.
To show an example of countries working together successfully to address a global issue, teachers can discuss the Montreal Protocol and use this resource to help explain the steps for addressing global problems.
To give students choice in this activity, teachers can provide students with the full list of questions and allow them to select one from each focus area to answer.

From the scientist review

This media decoding lesson tasks students with an analysis of different viewpoints about nationalism and globalism presented in two videos. Social studies are clearly linked to climate science by one speaker, as climate change is discussed as an issue that requires global action. Also, questions about addressing climate change are included in the decoding questions. This resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Geography, English Language Arts
Other types: Videos
Format: PDF, Downloadable MP4/M4V
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: Project Look Sharp
Authors: Project Look Sharp, David Rhodes
Published: September 12, 2025
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · D2.Civ.6.6-8 + 7 more

Core

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards

D2.Civ.6.6-8Describe the roles of political, civil, and economic organizations in shaping people's lives.
D2.Civ.7.6-8Apply civic virtues and democratic principles in school and community settings.
D2.Civ.5.9-12Evaluate citizens' and institutions' effectiveness in addressing social and political problems at the local, state, tribal, national, and/or international level.
D2.Civ.8.9-12Evaluate social and political systems in different contexts, times, and places, that promote civic virtues and enact democratic principles.

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub

English Language Arts

SL.7.2Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats and explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.
SL.9-10.3Understand and evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, identifying any fallacious reasoning or exaggerated or distorted evidence.
SL.11-12.1Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on topics, texts, and issues, listening actively, and building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Social Studies

SS.Geog3.a.hEvaluate, in both current and historical contexts, how the prospect of gaining access to resources in contested zones creates competition among countries. Assess how and why consumption of resources (e.g., petroleum, coal, electricity, steel, water, food) differs between developed and developing countries now and in the past.

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What it is

Teaching tips

From the scientist review

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