How to Be a Good Ancestor

Videos

Grades6-APCivics, History

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by TED

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What it is

This TED talk describes the need for humanity to think at least seven generations into the future when making decisions that affect our planet.
The speaker discusses the need to address injustices that future humans will face if we continue to act without regard for the home that will support those future generations.
Students will learn that being a good ancestor, or "time rebel," means loving our planet, restoring and taking care of our planet, and standing up for the billions of future humans who don't have a say in the decisions made today.

Teaching tips

Positives

This resource provides students with a chance to think about how past generations have impacted their lives and how their actions can have lasting impacts in the future.
The video reinforces the value of stewardship and highlights current actions taken by people and organizations around the world to address this issue.

Prerequisites

It might be helpful to introduce the terms colonial, colonization, injustice, and legacy.
Students should understand how human actions contribute to climate change.

Differentiation & Implementation

Cross-curricular connections could be made with history, civics, ecology, and social studies lessons.
This video could introduce topics such as the rights of individuals, the rights of nature to exist, the tragedy of the commons, sustainability, the loss of nature, the Anthropocene, and Indigenous practices and beliefs.
Civics or street law classes can research and analyze law suits concerning projected climate change impacts.

From the scientist review

Resource is suitable to teach sustainability science, climate and environmental justice. There is no contradiction in the content of the video. This resource is recommended.

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At a glance

Grades: 6-AP
Subjects: Civics, History
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: TED
Authors: Roman Krznaric
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · D2.Civ.10.6-8 + 7 more

Core

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards

D2.Civ.10.6-8Explain the relevance of personal interests and perspectives, civic virtues, and democratic principles when people address issues and problems in government and civil society.
D2.His.2.6-8Classify series of historical events and developments as examples of change and/or continuity.
D2.His.15.6-8Evaluate the relative influence of various causes of events and developments in the past.
D2.Civ.10.9-12Analyze the impact and the appropriate roles of personal interests and perspectives on the application of civic virtues, democratic principles, constitutional rights, and human rights.
D4.6.9-12Use disciplinary and interdisciplinary lenses to understand the characteristics and causes of local, regional, and global problems; instances of such problems in multiple contexts; and challenges and opportunities faced by those trying to address these problems over time and place.

Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.2Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

MS-ESS3-3.Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
MS-ESS3-D.Human activities, such as the release of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, are major factors in the current rise in Earth’s mean surface temperature (global warming). Reducing the level of climate change and reducing human vulnerability to whatever climate changes do occur depend on the understanding of climate science, engineering capabilities, and other kinds of knowledge, such as understanding of human behavior and on applying that knowledge wisely in decisions and activities. (MS-ESS3-5)

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