Let's create continuous conversations about climate change education: Spreading the Sediment of Science!

Exposure to Polluted Air: NYC Clean Trucks

Provided by: NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice

Scientific Reports Grades 9-12

Synopsis

This section of the EJNYC report from 2024 highlights that air pollution in New York City has decreased and provides details specifically about the NYC Clean Trucks program.
Students will read about the sources of air pollutants, the increasing air-pollution-related health impacts in low-income communities and communities of color, and movements, policies, and actions to reduce air pollution.

Subjects: Civics, Geography, Health

Authors: EJNYC

Region: New York City

Languages: English

Positives

This report includes a variety of data visualizations to help students understand the information.
The report concludes with quotes from those who have suffered due to increased air pollution in NYC.

Prerequisites

Teachers should define the term environmental justice communities, as it is referenced throughout the reading.
Students should understand how air quality is related to health.

Differentiation & Implementation

Students can use this article as a source to create a persuasive or informative piece of writing about environmental justice, personal actions community members can take, or environmental policy.
Students who do not have high reading stamina may benefit from a jigsaw reading of the material, where groups of students read only one or two sections and summarize for the rest of the class.
After reading the report, social studies classes can study current and historical institutional racism that has contributed to the high amounts of pollution in communities of color.
Students can research how climate change will worsen air conditions and suggest improvements that can keep others safe.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format