Actions to Fight Climate Change

Videos

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Civics, Engineering

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Paleontological Research Institution

Open Resource

What it is

This video shows how some European cities, such as Paris, have lowered their greenhouse gas emissions by using energy efficiently.
Students will learn about energy use, green transportation infrastructure, and efficient ways to use public and personal spaces.
The video explains how the United States could adopt many of the energy-saving methods used in Europe.

Teaching tips

Positives

This video explains how cities can address complex problems using solutions on a societal and personal level.
Students will learn that, on average, Europeans use far less energy than Americans.
The video description contains links to references.

Additional Prerequisites

Students should understand that burning fossil fuels causes climate change.

Differentiation

After watching this video, students could brainstorm ideas for a project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the class, school, or community level.
Other resources on city design include this video on biking infrastructure in Paris and this video on the differences between cities designed for cars and cities designed for pedestrians and cyclists.
Other lesson plans on these topics include this SujbectToClimate lesson on green spaces and this SubjectToClimate lesson on carbon emissions.

From the scientist review

This resource examines the sources of energy and lifestyle differences between France and the United States. On average, France, and the majority of the European Union, use half as much energy per capita as the United States. All of the data and figures in this resource have been verified and it is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Civics, Engineering
Format: YouTube Video
Language: English
Location: Earth, Europe, North America, North America > United States
Provider: Paleontological Research Institution
Authors: Paleontological Research Institution
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · D2.Civ.12.6-8 + 19 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

D2.Civ.12.6-8D2.Civ.12.6-8 Assess specific rules and laws (both actual and proposed) as means of addressing public problems.
D2.Geo.12.6-8D2.Geo.12.6-8 Explain how global changes in population distribution patterns affect changes in land use in particular places.
D2.Civ.13.9-12D2.Civ.13.9-12 Evaluate public policies in terms of intended and unintended outcomes, and related consequences.
D2.Geo.10.9-12D2.Geo.10.9-12 Evaluate how changes in the environmental and cultural characteristics of a place or region influence spatial patterns of trade and land use.
D4.7.9-12D4.7.9-12 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.

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

New Jersey Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

6.1.12.GeoHE.6.a:6.1.12.GeoHE.6.a: Compare and contrast issues involved in the struggle between the unregulated development of natural resources and efforts to conserve and protect natural resources during the period of industrial expansion.
6.2.12.EconGE.6.a:6.2.12.EconGE.6.a: Evaluate efforts of governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations to address economic imbalances, social inequalities, climate change, health and/or illiteracy.

Oregon Climate Education Hub

Oregon Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

HS.G.HE.9:HS.G.HE.9: Explain how technological developments, societal decisions, and personal practices influence global resource consumption patterns, conservation, and environmental sustainability
X.X. Apply the practices and knowledge of social science to determine the most effective ways to take informed civic action.

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub

Wisconsin Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

SS.Geog2.a.mSS.Geog2.a.m Analyze why populations increase or decrease in various regions throughout the world. Analyze the distribution of population patterns at various scales (e.g., local, state, country, region).

Maine Climate Education Hub

Maine Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

CivicsCivics & Government 1 (D2): Students understand the basic ideals, purposes, principles, structures, and processes of constitutional government in Maine and the United States as well as examples of other forms of government in the world by comparing how laws are made in Maine and at the federal level in the United States.
GeographyGeography 1 (D2): Students understand the geography of the community, Maine, the United States, and various regions of the world, and geographic influences on life in the past, present, and future by describing the impact of change on the physical and cultural environment.

New York Climate Education Hub

New York Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

12.12.G512.12.G5 PUBLIC POLICY: All levels of government—local, state, and federal—are involved in shaping public policy and responding to public policy issues, all of which influence our lives beyond what appears in the Constitution. Engaged citizens understand how to find, monitor, evaluate, and respond to information on public policy issues.

Connecticut Climate Education Hub

Connecticut Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

7.Geo.12.a.7.Geo.12.a. Explain how global changes in population distribution patterns have affected land use in a region (e.g., the Pampas, Deforestation in the Amazon, Southwest United States population boom).
7.Civ.12.a.7.Civ.12.a. Evaluate the effectiveness of rules, laws, and agreements as a means of addressing regional and global problems (e.g., International Court of Justice, International Criminal Court, Paris Agreement, International Atomic Energy Agency).
MW.Geo.10.a.EvaluateMW.Geo.10.a.Evaluate how the cultural and environmental changes caused by industrialization influenced spatial patterns of trade and land use (e.g., Enclosure Movement, Bombay Spinning and Weaving Company, Treaty of Amity and Commerce, Suez Canal).

Michigan Climate Education Hub

Michigan Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

9-129-12 – P4.2 Assess options for individual and collective action to advance views on matters of public policy and to address local, regional, or global problems.

Illinois Climate Education

Illinois Climate Education Standards legacy

S.9-12.IS.12.S.9-12.IS.12. Analyze existing structures, systems, and methodologies to determine what types of interventions or informed action will lead to increased equity, inclusion, and community and civic good.
SS.9-12.CV.9.SS.9-12.CV.9. Evaluate public policies in terms of intended and unintended outcomes and related consequences on different communities, including the marginalization of multiple groups.
SS.6-8.G.4.MdC.SS.6-8.G.4.MdC. Explain how global changes in population distribution patterns affect changes in land use.

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