G3-4 Text Set: Fighting for the Planet

October 10, 2017

SPEAKING UP Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg speaks at a climate protest outside the White House, in Washington, DC. ALASTAIR PIKE—AFP/GETTY IMAGES

On average, global temperatures have gone up almost 2°F in the last century, largely due to human activity. Everyone is affected by changes in our planet, and everyone plays a role in either contributing to or fighting climate change. This text set explores the issues facing our planet, and the people who are taking steps to help.

Essential Questions

1. Why do humans need the Earth?

2. What impact do humans have on the Earth?

3. How does climate change affect the planet? How does climate change affect individuals?

4. Whose responsibility is it to protect the planet?

5. What can be done to help fight climate change on a large or small scale?

Click here for the full PDF guide to this text set.

Paired Text

World

United Youth

October 10, 2019

UNITED NATIONS, New York— It’s Saturday, September 21, at 10 a.m. Five people are seated at the center of the Trusteeship Council Chamber. Four of them are youth climate activists. The fifth is United Nations (U.N.) secretary-general António Guterres. Typically,…

Audio
Video
Spanish

Environment

Youth in Action

October 10, 2019

Leading climate activists gathered at the United Nations (U.N.) Youth Climate Summit, in New York City, on September 21. Of about one thousand attendees, 42 were under the age of 18. They were invited to the summit after being nominated…

World

The Future of Food?

August 8, 2019

Climate change could soon drastically reduce the world’s food supply. That’s according to a report released Thursday by the United Nations. The report was created by a group of more than a hundred experts from 52 countries. Climate change has…

Environment

Planting Seeds

July 30, 2019

On Monday, millions of people in Ethiopia planted more than 350 million trees in 12 hours. The event was part of the country’s Green Legacy Initiative. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched the initiative in May. He hopes to reverse the…

World

Call to Action

March 22, 2019

Tens of thousands of students worldwide took to the streets in protest on March 15. They expressed anger over what they see as adults’ failure to act on climate change. Rallies were held in 125 countries. Young people called on…

United States

Climate in Court

April 5, 2018

Levi Draheim lives in Satellite Beach, Florida. It’s warm year-round there. Levi, 10, spends most of his time outside. He often walks from his house to the beach to go swimming and boogie boarding. But when Levi grows up, his…

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