This podcast discusses the recent 2021 film "Don't Look Up" and the importance of using storytelling to inspire climate action.
Students will hear an interview with guests Peter Kalmus, a NASA climate scientist, and Franny Armstrong, a British documentary filmmaker, as they describe their reactions to the film, their personal actions, and their thoughts about climate grief and taking action.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This podcast will help students see the role that art, storytelling, and film can play in the fight against climate change.
Students will learn about how comedy and satire can play an important role in helping teach others about climate change, deal with climate grief, and inspire change.
Additional Prerequisites
It is recommended that all who are listening to this podcast see the trailer or read a summary about the movie "Don't Look Up." Many references to the film and its storyline are made throughout the podcast.
Differentiation
Social studies, film, or science classes can use this resource to discuss the ways in which we can help people move past climate denial and inspire others to make changes in their own behaviors.
Before listening, students can try to brainstorm how many films they have seen or heard of that address the topic of climate change. The podcast reveals this (surprisingly low!) number at the 4:30 mark.
Other resources on this topic include this video about climate denial and this media literacy lesson plan.
Scientist Notes
The podcast serves as an example of how humor, narrative, and movies about climate change may promote social cohesion and climate action. To quell criticism from climate deniers, it is necessary to listen to this podcast. Also, it is advised to use this podcast when teaching to spur students for climate action.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
HS-ESS3-2 Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 4: Taking Informed Action
D4.7.9-12 Assess options for individual and collective action to address local, regional, and global problems by engaging in self-reflection, strategy identification, and complex causal reasoning.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.
