What's So Funny about Climate Change? Editorial Cartoon Opinions
Provided by: Project Look Sharp|Published on: April 27, 2021|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 3-AP
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Science, English Language Arts, Visual and Performing Arts
Authors: Project Look Sharp, Brian Goodman, Sox Sperry
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
- In this media literacy activity, students will analyze six climate change-related editorial cartoons and discuss how each cartoon conveys a different message.
- This resource includes a lesson plan, a student activity, a student handout, and a video clip.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The lesson plan includes discussion questions for several academic subjects.
- Students will enjoy interpreting the messages in the editorial cartoons.
Additional Prerequisites
- The video was made in 2015, so the narrator references an "upcoming" UN Climate Change Conference that took place in 2015, resulting in the Paris Agreement.
- Teachers must create a free account to access the materials.
- This handout will help students understand how to analyze media messages.
Differentiation
- Visual arts classes can use this lesson and then have students create editorial cartoons.
- English language arts classes can use this activity in a lesson on symbolism, irony, hyperbole, or metaphors.
- Other resources on this topic include this video on using doubt to keep people from believing in climate change, this video on how to talk to climate change deniers, and this podcast episode on Americans' opinions on climate change.
There is no contradiction in the resource; the cartoons illustrate the human impact on climate change. 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 →
