To Save the Climate, We Have to Reimagine Capitalism

Videos

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

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by TED

Open Resource

What it is

In this video, economist Rebecca Henderson outlines how capitalism must change to solve the climate crisis.
Students will learn that energy prices do not reflect health and environmental costs.
Henderson calls on businesses to fix capitalism. She illustrates this point with an example of a garbage company that successfully improved its environmental impact, fought corruption, and helped influence positive change in the waste management sector.

Teaching tips

Positives

This video is compelling and optimistic about solving climate change.
Rebecca Henderson simplifies complex economic concepts into easier-to-understand terms.

Additional Prerequisites

There is a short ad at the end of the video.
The transcript of the video is available in 16 languages.

Differentiation

Economics classes could use this video when learning about capitalism, free-market economies, the cost of goods, and government regulation.
In a civics course, students could discuss the role they think the government should take in reshaping capitalism to reflect true costs.
For a comprehensive look at how climate and economics interact, check out this course by ClimateScience.

From the scientist review

There is not much science in this video resource to verify. However, Rebecca Henderson makes a compelling argument on how free and fair capitalism could be an important factor in fighting climate change. This resource is recommended for teaching.

How we review resources

Ready to use it?

Hosted on ted.com

Open Resource

Want this to fit your class?

Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.

At a glance

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

Standards alignment · D2.Civ.14.6-8 + 8 more

Core

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards

D2.Civ.14.6-8Compare historical and contemporary means of changing societies, and promoting the common good.
D2.Eco.1.6-8Explain how economic decisions affect the well-being of individuals, businesses, and society.
D2.Eco.2.6-8Evaluate alternative approaches or solutions to current economic issues in terms of benefits and costs for different groups and society as a whole.
D2.Civ.14.9-12Analyze historical, contemporary, and emerging means of changing societies, promoting the common good, and protecting rights.
D2.Civ.6.9-12Critique relationships among governments, civil societies, and economic markets.
D2.Eco.1.9-12Analyze how incentives influence choices that may result in policies with a range of costs and benefits for different groups.
D2.Eco.2.9-12Use marginal benefits and marginal costs to construct an argument for or against an approach or solution to an economic issue.

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

Social Studies

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.
6.3.8.EconET.2:Assess the impact of government incentives and disincentives on the economy (e.g., patents, protection of private property, taxes).

Cookie Preferences

What it is

Teaching tips

From the scientist review

Ready to use it?

Want this to fit your class?

Related Teaching Resources