The Case for Stubborn Optimism on Climate

Videos

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

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by TED

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What it is

This video from TED is about the necessity of stubborn optimism to achieve a sustainable planet for future generations.
Students will learn about how Christiana Figueres was inspired by her father, the former president of Costa Rica, to take immediate action on climate and inspire global cooperation.

Teaching tips

Positives

Christiana is like a coach giving an inspiring speech to the team (humanity) to take action with a positive mindset.
The video can serve as social-emotional learning for students who are feeling overwhelmed when learning about climate change and environmentalism.

Prerequisites

Students should know what decarbonization is and why it would lead to a more sustainable future.
Students should know generally about the 2015 Paris Agreement and what it set out to accomplish.

Differentiation & Implementation

This resource can be used as a reason for hope and optimism for any students who are feeling despair or are overwhelmed by the climate crisis.
There is a video transcript with a read-along feature for students who need support following along.
Students who want first-hand testimonials about individuals showing hope and resilience in the face of challenges can look at Hope After Hurricanes or Real World Impacts.
A lesson about visualizing a hopeful future is Design Your Future.
This video can be used to introduce resources with examples of specific climate solutions, including MIT Climate Primer: Solutions and Big Climate Problems Require Even Bigger Global Solutions.

From the scientist review

While there is no specific science in this video to verify, Christiana Figueres offers an important perspective on climate change about staying optimistic. This resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Civics
Format: Downloadable MP4/M4V
Language: English
Location: Earth, South America
Provider: TED
Authors: Christiana Figueres, TED
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · D2.Civ.8.6-8 + 8 more

Core

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards

D2.Civ.8.6-8Analyze ideas and principles contained in the founding documents of the United States, and explain how they influence the social and political system.
D4.7.6-8Assess their individual and collective capacities to take action to address local, regional, and global problems, taking into account a range of possible levers of power, strategies, and potential outcomes.
D2.Civ.14.9-12Analyze historical, contemporary, and emerging means of changing societies, promoting the common good, and protecting rights.
D2.Civ.7.9-12Apply civic virtues and democratic principles when working with others.

Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.2Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.2Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data.

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

English Language Arts

SL.ES.9-10.3Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, identifying any false reasoning or distorted evidence.
SL.ES.11-12.3Evaluate 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.

Social Studies

6.1.12.CivicsDP.14.a:Draw from multiple perspectives and cite evidence to determine the extent to which nongovernmental organizations, special interest groups, third party political groups, and the media affect public policy.

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