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

The Case for Stubborn Optimism on Climate

Provided by: TED |Published on: April 27, 2021

Videos Grades 6-8, 9-12

Synopsis

This video from TED is about the necessity of stubborn optimism to achieve a sustainable planet for future generations.
Students will learn about how Christiana Figueres was inspired by her father, the former president of Costa Rica, to take immediate action on climate and inspire global cooperation.

Subjects: Civics

Authors: Christiana Figueres, TED

Region: South and Central America, Global

Languages: English

Positives

Christiana is like a coach giving an inspiring speech to the team (humanity) to take action with a positive mindset.
The video can serve as social-emotional learning for students who are feeling overwhelmed when learning about climate change and environmentalism.

Prerequisites

Students should know what decarbonization is and why it would lead to a more sustainable future.
Students should know generally about the 2015 Paris Agreement and what it set out to accomplish.

Differentiation & Implementation

This resource can be used as a reason for hope and optimism for any students who are feeling despair or are overwhelmed by the climate crisis.
There is a video transcript with a read-along feature for students who need support following along.
Students who want first-hand testimonials about individuals showing hope and resilience in the face of challenges can look at Hope After Hurricanes or Real World Impacts.
A lesson about visualizing a hopeful future is Design Your Future.
This video can be used to introduce resources with examples of specific climate solutions, including MIT Climate Primer: Solutions and Big Climate Problems Require Even Bigger Global Solutions.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.