Climate Justice and Air Pollution in Illinois

Videos

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Science, Civics, Health

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by ACE

Open Resource

What it is

In this video, Tonyisha explains how marginalized communities in Chicago are being impacted by climate change and what young people can do to take action.
The resource includes two lesson plans about environmental justice, a student worksheet, and a voting activity.

Teaching tips

Positives

This video provides a personal narrative from a young person in an at-risk community.
There are many ways to expand on this topic using the linked lesson plans and activity.

Additional Prerequisites

The video is available without an account but teachers must create a free account to access the lesson plans and additional materials.

Differentiation

The video can be a hook for social studies and civics lessons.
The Plotting Trends lesson could be used in a math or science class when learning about data analysis and graphing.
The video could be used to preface a class discussion about the effects of pollution on low-income communities, communities of color, and Indigenous communities.
Other resources related to this topic include EPA's Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool and How Empowering Women and Girls Can Help Stop Global Warming.

From the scientist review

Critical insight is provided to enable students to become more conscious in taking climate action. The video demonstrated the need to advocate for climate and environmental justice and vote for politicians who have great interest in tackling climate change. In the video, please note this oversight or error "industries harming soil pollution". Besides that, the resource is suitable and recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Science, Civics, Health
Other types: Lesson Plans, Activity - Classroom, Worksheets
Format: PDF
Language: English
Location: North America, North America > United States, North America > United States > Illinois
Provider: ACE
Authors: ACE
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.Geo.2.6-8Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions, and changes in their environmental characteristics.
D2.Civ.12.9-12Analyze how people use and challenge local, state, national, and international laws to address a variety of public issues.
D2.Geo.8.9-12Evaluate the impact of economic activities and political decisions on spatial patterns within and among urban, suburban, and rural regions.

Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.2Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.

Common Core Math Standards (CCSS.MATH)

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.SP.B.4Display numerical data in plots on a number line, including dot plots, histograms, and box plots.

National Health Education Standards

1.12.3Analyze how environment and personal health are interrelated.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

MS-LS1-5.Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.

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Teaching tips

From the scientist review

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