The Impacts of Climate Change on Cultural Heritage in IL
Provided by: Illinois Library|Published on: May 19, 2025
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, AP
Type: Scientific Reports
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, History, Geography
Authors: Michael Aiuvalasit
Region: Illinois
Languages: English
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 publication from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign breaks down the history of Illinois and how climate change has affected the culture of Illinois in the past, present, and future.
- The publication uses several different resources, cited throughout the research, to explain the implications climate change has on climate migration, heritage resources, and the economy of Illinois.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The resource uses a combination of text, graphics, tables, and photographs to help reinforce the concept that Illinois climate change affects more than just the environment, but does, in fact, also affect cultural heritage.
- The resource is broken into several different chapters making the ability to chunk the assignment for students much easier for teachers.
Prerequisites
- Students should be aware of different text features in nonfiction texts and how they contribute to the overall meaning of an article or publication.
- Students should understand the causes and impacts of climate change.
- Teachers should consider the best way to deliver the information to students. The publication can be viewed with the webpage link, downloaded, or printed for students.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Under the references portion of the document, many of the resources used in the creation of the publication have hyperlinks for students to access the direct resource. Students may continue exploring the connection between climate change and cultural heritage through these links individually or in groups.
- Teachers may consider using a collaborative learning style (such as jigsaw) to have students work in groups to present one area of the publication to other groups of students.
- Teachers can use the Climate Emotions Wheel to facilitate a discussion about the different information presented in the resource. Students can use the Climate Emotions Wheel to label their feelings about the different sections of the article. The wheel could also be used if teachers print off the photographs contained in the resource and set up a gallery walk. Students can use the wheel to express how the photographs make them feel.
- Teachers can expand upon the lesson using How the World Can Adapt to Climate Impacts to further explore the economic costs of climate change, climate change and displacement, climate change and inequality, and other pertinent topics.
Climate change poses a significant threat to cultural sites and this resource provides scientific evidence of the devastating impacts of climate change on historical sites, natural heritage and resources in Illinois and how the indigenous peoples have led efforts to mitigate the impact over time. It also presents projections of what these sites would become in future if bold actions are not taken to deal with climate change. This resource is well-sourced and 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 →
