The Solution to Climate Change Is All Around Us

Videos

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Biology

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by The YEARS Project

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What it is

This video outlines three nature-based solutions that are imperative to fight climate change, slow the sixth mass extinction event, and protect the planet for future generations: restore and protect forests, protect wildlife, and rebuild wild coastal habitats.
It details the many ways that animals, forests, coastal marshes, and ecosystems all over the planet help regulate global systems and protect the planet for all life on Earth.

Teaching tips

Positives

This video provides students with many ways that they can take action to make a difference.
The video emphasizes that rapid decarbonization and large-scale policies are also necessary to stop climate change.

Prerequisites

This resource about ecosystem dynamics and this one about biodiversity could be introduced to provide background for younger students.

Differentiation & Implementation

After the video, groups of students could conduct research on each of the three topics: forests, wildlife, and coastal habitats. Students could present their findings to the class after their research is complete.
To learn more about the actual carbon impact of these solutions, students can explore this table from Project Drawdown. Students can read more about individual climate solutions such as tropical forest restoration.
To learn more about the sixth mass extinction, students can watch this TEDx video.
Students who want to learn more about deforestation could explore this amazing interactive map from Global Forest Watch.

From the scientist review

This 4-minute video highlights three major strategies focused on ecosystem restoration to address climate change: restoring forests, protecting wildlife, and restoring coastline habitats. Other organizations to support and individual actions that can be taken are also presented. Citations are provided in the video description. This resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Biology
Format: YouTube Video
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: The YEARS Project
Authors: The YEARS Project
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · MS-LS2-2. + 18 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

MS-LS2-2.MS-LS2-2. Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.
MS-LS2-4.MS-LS2-4. Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
MS-ESS3-3.MS-ESS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
MS-ESS3-4.MS-ESS3-4. Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.
MS-ESS3-5.MS-ESS3-5. Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.3CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.3 Delineate a speaker's argument and specific claims, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.2 Analyze 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.
HS-LS2-5.HS-LS2-5. Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
HS-LS2-6.HS-LS2-6. Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.
HS-LS2-7.HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
MS-ESS3-D.MS-ESS3-D. Human activities, such as the release of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, are major factors in the current rise in Earth’s mean surface temperature (global warming). Reducing the level of climate change and reducing human vulnerability to whatever climate changes do occur depend on the understanding of climate science, engineering capabilities, and other kinds of knowledge, such as understanding of human behavior and on applying that knowledge wisely in decisions and activities. (MS-ESS3-5)
HS-LS4-D.2.HS-LS4-D.2. Humans depend on the living world for the resources and other benefits provided by biodiversity. But human activity is also having adverse impacts on biodiversity through overpopulation, overexploitation, habitat destruction, pollution, introduction of invasive species, and climate change. Thus sustaining biodiversity so that ecosystem functioning and productivity are maintained is essential to supporting and enhancing life on Earth. Sustaining biodiversity also aids humanity by preserving landscapes of recreational or inspirational value. (secondary to HS-LS2-7), (HS-LS4-6)

Michigan Climate Education Hub

Michigan Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

MS-LS2-4MS-LS2-4 Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
MS-LS2-2MS-LS2-2 Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.
HS-LS2-5HS-LS2-5 Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
HS-LS2-6HS-LS2-6 Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.
HS-LS2-7HS-LS2-7 Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
SL.6.3.SL.6.3. Delineate a speaker's argument and specific claims, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.
SL.7.2.SL.7.2. Analyze 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.

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