The Last Generation
Provided by: PBS|Published on: November 1, 2022|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Science, History
Authors: Frontline and the Groundtruth Project
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 an interactive film and animated story that addresses the existential threat that the Marshall Islands face due to climate change, as told by three children.
- Students will get a present, past, and future perspective, as well as view maps of the Marshall Islands, read text, and listen to the music and sounds that accompany the segments.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This resource is emotionally moving, with compelling footage of children discussing their homes, schools, and the challenges they face due to climate change.
- This video is self-paced and allows time to process the content.
Additional Prerequisites
- This resource requires active participation, including scrolling through parts of the experience when ready.
- This interactive film includes video segments, animations, and text segments.
- The content may be emotional for students, especially the last segment.
- Each segment could take an entire class period to complete.
Differentiation
- After this activity, have students discuss ways that climate change impacts other species and the people who are least responsible for it. Have them write a reflection paper or journal about this.
- In order for students to learn more about the mangrove restoration referenced in this resource, have them listen to this podcast examining why mangroves are disappearing or watch this video which highlights an approach to restoring mangrove forests.
- Social studies classes could do a deeper dive into the United Nations climate change agreements, the Paris Agreements in particular, and the impact that these agreements are having on the Marshall Islands.
- Consider providing students with note-taking guides and then allowing them to work through this interactive experience with a partner in order to encourage dialogue, provide support to all learners, and allow for self-paced reflection.
This resource highlights the impact of climate change and imperialism on the native people of the Marshall Islands. The islands (according to archeologists) were discovered over 2,000 years ago and will likely be submerged by rising sea levels and extreme weather events. The people are suffering the impacts. This calls for urgent intervention by world leaders to save the islands, their people, and their cultural heritage from disappearing. 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 →
