Youth Climate Story: Wildfires and Air Pollution in Nevada

• This video features Miss Reno discussing the importance of advocating for climate action and the connection between increasing temperatures and more wildfires in Nevada.
  
• A lesson plan, writing assignment, and student worksheet about local climate impacts are included to complement the video.
  

Positives

• This video advocates for taking action to mitigate climate change, using a hopeful but urgent tone.
• Youth are empowered to take action and use their skills to make a difference.
• Students are able to practice their writing and advocacy skills by drafting their own climate story as a part of the included lesson plan.

Additional Prerequisites

• Students should be familiar with the concept of climate change.
• After viewing the video, teachers must log in to access the lesson plan.

Differentiation

• Consider having students discuss if their local community is impacted by wildfires or what other climate risks their community faces.
• Science classes could use this video when discussing ecological succession, ecosystems, the water cycle, or climate regions.
  
• Social studies classes could use this video or lesson when discussing intergenerational justice, environmental justice, or the many effects of climate change on vulnerable communities.

Wildfire risk is impacted by more consequences of climate change than just increased temperatures, although higher temperatures are a major factor.  Wildfires can also result in other environmental issues such as air pollution and loss of habitat. The concept of positive feedback loops applies to wildfire scenarios because climate change increases the risk of wildfires which, in turn, decrease carbon storage in trees.