Nathaly Agosto Filión: Identity as a Climate Superpower

Videos

Grades6-APCivics, English Language Arts, Career Skills

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Project Drawdown

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What it is

In this interview, Newark's Nathaly Agosto Filión discusses how she got involved in environmental work, how community members can affect change, and the importance of resilience stories from groups facing disproportionate challenges from climate change.
Students will learn about and discuss the importance of youth voices in the climate change conversation, the need for diversity in the climate movement, the power of emotional elements in making changes, and how students can show up and contribute to the movement.

Teaching tips

Positives

The interviewee gives actionable steps that young people can put into practice to support environmental justice.
The message to do what you are passionate about and the quote Nathaly shares will inspire students to do what makes them "come alive."

Additional Prerequisites

Students should understand the basic causes and effects of climate change.
It may benefit students to understand local government, how local policies are made, and how it connects to and influences state and national government.

Differentiation

After watching the video, students can share and discuss their formative experiences with nature, like Nathaly's memory of squirrels and her experience hiking in the Berkshires.
Students can interview their local chief sustainability officer and compare and contrast their path and inspiration to Christina's.
The interviewee mentions that citizens of Newark have faced environmental racism and the importance of policymakers and government officials considering these stories. Students can research examples of environmental racism and discuss why they are relevant to the conversation. Students can also discuss examples of resilience in these groups.

From the scientist review

This resource from Project Drawdown provides a ~12 minute video about engaging the local government to ensure environmental justice and the needs of a community are met. The video follows narrator, Nathaly Agosto Filion and tells her personal story about her efforts to champion and advocate for communities of color. Discussion questions, along with links to learn more and take action, are also provided.

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At a glance

Grades: 6-AP
Subjects: Civics, English Language Arts, Career Skills
Other types: Activity - Classroom
Language: English
Location: North America, North America > United States, North America > United States > New Jersey
Provider: Project Drawdown
Authors: Project Drawdown
Published: January 8, 2024
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · SL.9-12.1 + 4 more

Maine Climate Education Hub

English Language Arts

SL.9-12.1Prepare for and participate in conversations across a range of topics, types, and forums, building on others' ideas and expressing their own.
SL.9-12.2Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.

Social Studies

Civics& Government 1 (F2): Students understand the ideals, purposes, principles, structures, and processes of constitutional government in the United States and in the American political system, as well as examples of other forms of government and political systems in the world by explaining how and why democratic institutions and interpretations of democratic ideals and constitutional principles change over time.
Civics& Government 1 (F3): Students understand the ideals, purposes, principles, structures, and processes of constitutional government in the United States and in the American political system, as well as examples of other forms of government and political systems in the world by describing the purpose, structures, and processes of the American political system.
Civics& Government 1 (D1): Students understand the ideals, purposes, principles, structures, and processes of constitutional government in the United States and in the American political system, as well as examples of other forms of government and political systems in the world by evaluating and comparing the relationship of citizens with government in the United States and other regions of the world.

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