Environmental Justice, Explained

Videos

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Geography

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Provided by Grist

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What it is

This video from Grist explains the concept of environmental justice using an example of a made-up city full of people of different races, ethnicities, income levels, and languages to illustrate real-life inequities.
It also connects climate justice with social justice with an example of small island nations that suffer extreme effects of climate change even though they have not contributed much to the problem historically.

Teaching tips

Positives

This is a clear and concise summary of environmental justice.
Excellent graphics make this video easy to understand.

Prerequisites

Before viewing, teachers may need to define the term redlining and provide students with background information on climate migration.

Differentiation & Implementation

This video can be used at the beginning of any lesson concerning environmental justice.
The video mentions historic responsibility for global emissions. This video is an excellent explainer showing who is most responsible for climate change.
Students can explore the EPA's Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool to better understand environmental justice. Students in the United States can explore their home cities or states.

From the scientist review

This 4-minute video presents a short introduction to environmental justice. Is it simple and direct and provides a good overview of a range of topics including segregation, climate change, and inequality. This resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Geography
Format: YouTube Video
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: Grist
Authors: Grist
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · D2.Geo.10.6-8 + 5 more

Core

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards

D2.Geo.10.6-8Analyze the ways in which cultural and environmental characteristics vary among various regions of the world.

Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.3Delineate a speaker's argument and specific claims, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.3Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas, word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

HS-ESS3-1.Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

Maine Climate Education Hub

Social Studies

Geography1 (D2): Students understand the geography of the United States and various regions of the world and the effect of geographic influences on decisions about the present and future by using inquiry to predict and evaluate consequences of geographic influences.
Geography2 (F2): Students understand geographic aspects of unity and diversity in Maine, the United States, and the world, including Maine Native American communities, by summarizing and interpreting the relationship between geographic features and cultures of Maine Native Americans, and historical and recent immigrant groups in Maine, the United States, and the world.

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Teaching tips

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