Connecticut's Environmental History and Its Lessons
Articles/Websites
Grades9, 10, 11, 12History
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Provided by Connecticut History
What it is
- This article from Connecticut History gives an overview of Connecticut's environmental history from just before the state's colonization to the present day.
- Students will learn about environmental issues and movements throughout history, and how we can learn from that history to address environmental problems today.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The article ends with a hopeful tone for Connecticut's future as a leader in climate action.
- The message of using history to inform our present-day decisions is an important one for students.
Prerequisites
- Students should understand climate change and have a basic understanding of industrialization in the United States.
Differentiation & Implementation
- After reading, students can use the article to create a timeline of important events throughout Connecticut's environmental history.
- After reading about the industrial pollution in Connecticut's rivers, students can look into the health impacts on the community from water pollution. Teachers can also use this as a way to connect the article to Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Well-Being.
- This article can provide more information on the sea level rise trends in Connecticut.
From the scientist review
This resource details the history of Connecticut’s environment, highlighting grassroots movements that affected change. The text is clear and well-cited. Climate change is discussed at length, with focus rightly on both mitigation and adaptation rather than one or the other. This resource clearly tracks development, environmental degradation and restoration and is recommended for teaching.
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Hosted on connecticuthistory.org
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