Willie Jones III: The Future Is Full of Possibilities
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 →
Provided by: Project Drawdown|Published on: January 24, 2024
VideosScientist Reviewed
9101112AP
Scientist Reviewed 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 short, documentary-style video, Willie Jones III discusses his career as a green infrastructure technician in New Orleans, his personal story of pursuing this career path, his inspiration from the response to Hurricane Katrina, and his passion for climate justice.
- Through watching the video and discussing the provided questions, students will explore the importance of one's culture and roots, necessary skills in the changing climate, the prevalence of energy use and the need for solar energy, and meaningful changes to address environmental racism.
Subjects: Science, Civics, Career Skills
Authors: Project Drawdown
Region: North America, USA - South, United States, Louisiana
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The video's tone is hopeful about the future and what is possible in the fight against climate change.
- Willie Jones III uses his life experiences to illustrate the connections between poverty, racism, and environmentalism.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should be familiar with environmental justice, environmental racism, and gentrification.
- The resource includes the video, a short description of Willie Jones III's story, discussion questions, links to learn more, and ways to take action.
Differentiation
- Teachers can use the discussion questions to guide a rich conversation about culture, justice, and climate change.
- Students can explore solar panels and other electricity-focused climate solutions using the links provided.
- Willie Jones III highlights multiple nonprofits doing great work in his community. Students can identify nonprofits in their area that are climate justice-oriented and take steps to support their work.
- Engineering classes can use this video to highlight an engineering-related green career, and students can evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of using solar-powered trailers to provide electricity after natural disasters.
- Geography classes can discuss the specific environmental, cultural, and political characteristics of New Orleans that contributed to the challenges caused by Hurricane Katrina and continued challenges with flooding and other natural disasters.
- Students can use this video as a starting point to explore green infrastructure and adaptation strategies.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Project Drawdown
Project Drawdown is a nonprofit organization that seeks to help the world reach “drawdown”—the future point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline. Cities, universities, corporations, philanthropies, policymakers, communities, educators, activists, and more turn to Project Drawdown as they look to advance effective climate action. Project Drawdown resources for educators include the database of Drawdown Solutions, educational video series Climate Solutions 101, the Drawdown Stories initiative, and more.
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 →
