Climate Science: Crash Course History of Science

Videos

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences, History

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Crash Course

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What it is

This video from Crash Course about the history of climate science provides historical background about the field of climate science, how drastically we've changed the planet, and how changes to the planet and our climate can have catastrophic effects on life on Earth.
It also discusses climate denial, the impacts of agriculture, geoengineering, and the need to find equitable solutions.

Teaching tips

Positives

The video identifies the people most recently involved with our understanding of climate change.
It brings up other important topics to consider related to climate science that students may not be aware of.

Prerequisites

There is some text in the closed captioning that does not sync with the video towards the end.
Students should understand climate change and its causes.

Differentiation & Implementation

Students could be grouped after watching the video to discuss different topics in more detail.
This resource can be used in media literacy lessons, as it discusses climate denial campaigns. Teachers can use the article Exxon Knew About Climate Change Almost 40 Years Ago to expand on this topic.
Other resources related to this topic include this NPR podcas and this video.

From the scientist review

This video, created by the aptly named folks at Crash Course, offers a quick lesson on the history of climate science and the political questions regarding what to officially call the era we are currently living in. The science in this video is sound and verifiable. This resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, History
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: Crash Course
Authors: Crash Course
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · MS-ESS3-4. + 13 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

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.
D2.Geo.4.6-8D2.Geo.4.6-8 Explain how cultural patterns and economic decisions influence environments and the daily lives of people in both nearby and distant places.
D2.His.1.6-8D2.His.1.6-8 Analyze connections among events and developments in broader historical contexts.
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
D2.His.1.9-12D2.His.1.9-12 Evaluate how historical events and developments were shaped by unique circumstances of time and place as well as broader historical contexts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.3CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.3 Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, identifying any fallacious reasoning or exaggerated or distorted evidence.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.3CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.3 Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas, word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used.

Connecticut Climate Education Hub

Connecticut Climate Education Hub Standards legacy

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.3CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.3 Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, identifying any fallacious reasoning or exaggerated or distorted evidence.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.3CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.3 Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas, word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used.
6.Geo.4.a.6.Geo.4.a. Explain how cultural patterns influence the environment and daily life within and among regions (e.g., pollution of the Ganges River, Croatian access to Adriatic Seacoast, Main-Danube waterway, Chinese New Year, Hajj).
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.
HS-ESS3-1.HS-ESS3-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

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