Ocean Heroes: Coastal Frontline Communities and Climate Justice
Provided by: The Nature Conservancy|Published on: May 25, 2023|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Videos
Subjects: Science, Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts
Authors: Nature Lab by The Nature Conervancy
Location: Earth
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This Nature Lab video highlights programs and efforts to engage with youth and many disadvantaged groups about the risks of our changing oceans, careers in science, and ways to express their feelings through art.
- It covers issues of climate justice for many groups and the need to advocate for action to protect the oceans.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- Although the video covers serious topics related to climate change, it presents youth taking action to help the environment, resulting in a positive and hopeful tone.
- Advocacy through art is highlighted, and this can serve as an entry point for many students to care and take action for the ocean and the environment.
- The video lays out a nice blueprint for ways that youth can organize to engage their community in taking positive steps to combat climate change and threats to the ocean.
Additional Prerequisites
- Learners should be familiar with the effects of climate change on the ocean and coastal communities, such as sea level rise, coastal flooding, ocean acidification, and coral bleaching.
Differentiation
- This lesson plan includes this video, vocabulary, standards, and additional resources, and was created by Nature Lab by The Nature Conservancy.
- This video would be a great source of inspiration for an interdisciplinary project engaging civics and science, or art and science for climate change advocacy.
- Consider having students investigate ways they could improve their local watershed or waterways and create an action plan.
- Have students write a poem or illustrated essay describing their connection to water and how they could protect this vulnerable resource.
- Encourage students to host an action day at school to create art to advocate for the environment or to clean up trash in their watershed.
More often than not, the most vulnerable of people are the ones being the most impacted by the negative effects of climate change. This video from the Nature Conservancy explores how people on the coasts are vulnerable to climate change and rising oceans. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
