Solutions Can Protect Coastal Communities

Articles/Websites

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Civics, Geography, Engineering

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Sea Level Rise

Open Resource

What it is

This article describes solutions for protecting coastal communities from the impacts of sea level rise.
Students will learn that individuals, local communities, and the state and the federal government must work together to prepare coastal communities for climate-induced flooding.

Teaching tips

Positives

The text is easy to read and contains detailed pictures that help to illustrate the solutions.
Students can click on the blue superscript numbers, which appear next to each solution, for more information.

Additional Prerequisites

Students should have prior knowledge about coastal regions in the United States.
The link for the Slowing Land Sinkage section is broken.

Differentiation

Geography classes could use this interactive flood risk map to see which areas of the world are prone to flooding. Students could discuss which solutions from the article could help specific coastal communities around the world.
Social Studies and Civics classes could pair this resource with this short film on the Isle de Jean Charles and then discuss the pros and cons of managed retreat.
Earth science classes could watch this video on sea level rise and then discuss how climate action is a flood prevention solution.

From the scientist review

The resource contains ideas and an action guide for designing solutions for smart cities and communities. Nature-based solutions are more prominent and students can explore the guide to implement these activities in their local communities. This resource is recommended for teaching.

How we review resources

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Civics, Geography, Engineering
Language: English
Location: Earth, North America, North America > United States
Provider: Sea Level Rise
Authors: Sea Level Rise
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · MS-ESS3-2. + 43 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
MS-ETS1-1.MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
HS-ETS1-2.HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
D2.Civ.12.9-12D2.Civ.12.9-12 Analyze how people use and challenge local, state, national, and international laws to address a variety of public issues.
D2.Geo.12.9-12D2.Geo.12.9-12 Evaluate the consequences of human-made and natural catastrophes on global trade, politics, and human migration.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

New Jersey Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
MS-ETS1-1.MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
HS-ETS1-2.HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
RI.CI.9–10.2RI.CI.9–10.2 Determine one or more central ideas of an informational text and analyze how it is developed and refined over the course of a text, including how it emerges and is shaped by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

Oregon Climate Education Hub

Oregon Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

9-10.RI.29-10.RI.2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze in details its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details. Provide an evidence-based summary of the text.
7.ESS3.27.ESS3.2 Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
MS.ETS1.1MS.ETS1.1 Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
HS.ETS1.2HS.ETS1.2 Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
HS.G.MM.2:HS.G.MM.2: Analyze recent voluntary and forced migration patterns to identify and understand the push and pull factors and their effect on people and places.

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
MS-ETS1-1.MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
HS-ETS1-2.HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
R.9-10.2R.9-10.2 Objectively and accurately summarize texts, from a variety of genres, to determine one or more themes or central ideas and analyze its development, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details. (RI&RL)

Maine Climate Education Hub

Maine Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS3-2MS-ESS3-2 Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
MS-ETS1-1MS-ETS1-1 Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
HS-ETS1-2HS-ETS1-2 Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
R.9-12.5R.9-12.5 Provide an accurate summary of various texts; determine the central idea(s) or theme(s) and analyze its development throughout each text.
GeographyGeography 2 (F2): Students understand geographic aspects of unity and diversity in Maine, the United States, and the world, including Maine Native American communities, by summarizing and interpreting the relationship between geographic features and cultures of Maine Native Americans, and historical and recent immigrant groups in Maine, the United States, and the world.

New York Climate Education Hub

New York Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
MS-ETS1-1.MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
HS-ETS1-2.HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
9-10R2:9-10R2: Determine one or more themes or central ideas in a text and analyze its development, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; objectively and accurately summarize a text. (RI&RL)

Connecticut Climate Education Hub

Connecticut Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
MS-ETS1-1.MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
HS-ETS1-2.HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub

ECCLPs Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
MS-ETS1-1.MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
HS-ETS1-2.HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.

Michigan Climate Education Hub

Michigan Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-ESS3-2MS-ESS3-2 Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
MS-ETS1-1MS-ETS1-1 Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
HS-ETS1-2HS-ETS1-2 Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
RI.9-10.2.RI.9-10.2. Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

Illinois Climate Education

Illinois Climate Education Standards legacy

RI.9-10.2.RI.9-10.2. Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
MS-ESS3-2.MS-ESS3-2. Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects
SS.SS. 9-12.G.8. Analyze how human societies plan for and respond to the consequences of human-made and naturally occurring catastrophes and how these events affect trade, politics, and migration.
MS-ETS1-1.MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
HS-ETS1-2.HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.

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