The Sea Is Moving in on New Jersey's Biggest Landfill
Videos
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Social Studies, Earth and Space Sciences
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 The Nation
What it is
- This video shows students that some landfills in New Jersey will likely be partially underwater or completely underwater in this century.
- The video identifies that the Meadowlands area and the Middlesex County landfill are both at risk of inundation due to sea level rise.
Teaching tips
Positives
- Large font text accompanies the narration, and there are many clips of the trash sites discussed in the video.
- The aerial maps showing how far inland the ocean will come at high tide are very helpful.
Prerequisites
- There are ads before the video.
- The video discusses Superstorm Sandy, so you may want to provide some information about that hurricane for context.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Social studies and civics classes can use this video to discuss the role of governments and regulations in protecting the public and planning for natural disasters.
- Science classes can use this video as a hook for lessons about sea level rise, decomposition, coastal ecosystems, and water pollution.
- This video brings up a social justice topic that can be explored further: landfill locations and waste management in New Jersey and around the world.
- Other resources to consider on this topic include this #Trashtag article, this interactive resource about living within the planet's boundaries, and this interactive mapping tool by the Nature Conservancy.
From the scientist review
This video spotlights two scenarios on the impact of sea level rise on landfills in New Jersey. In a changing climate, and as shown in the two models, the maps provide critical information for efficient coastal planning and management of sea level rise in New Jersey's coastal communities. This is recommended for teaching.
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