Climate Change Will Make Millions Homeless. Where Will They Go?

Videos

Grades8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences, Geography

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by Hot Mess

Open Resource

What it is

This video highlights how climate change will cause a significant increase in human displacement and migration.
Students will learn how this will directly impact people worldwide.

Teaching tips

Positives

The video incorporates engaging imagery and clear text to help ensure student understanding and engagement.

Prerequisites

There is a commercial at the beginning of the video.
Students will need an understanding of the terms climate change and migration.

Differentiation & Implementation

Elementary teachers can use the video to discuss the impacts of climate change.
High school science classes can use the video to discuss how human activity affects the migration patterns of people.
Middle and high school geography and civics classes can use the video to evaluate the long-term effects of human activity and climate change.
English teachers can use this resource alongside Write and Perform a Climate Monologue as a monologue topic.
Other similar resources include the videos Youth Climate Story: Sea Level Rise in Massachusetts, Youth Climate Story: Drought in California, How the Climate Crisis Will force a Massive American Migration and the article Let's Talk About Climate Migrants, Not Climate Refugees.

From the scientist review

This resource is a 5-minute video that presents a brief overview of historical and future human migration, with a particular focus on the likely 200 million people that will need to move due to climate change between now and 2050. This resource discusses social and political challenges that these climate refugees face, and provides several examples of communities that are already being forced to move do to climate change. This resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Geography
Format: YouTube Video
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: Hot Mess
Authors: Hot Mess, PBS
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · D2.Geo.12.9-12 + 4 more

Core

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards

D2.Geo.12.9-12Evaluate the consequences of human-made and natural catastrophes on global trade, politics, and human migration.
D2.Geo.9.9-12Evaluate the influence of long-term climate variability on human migration and settlement patterns, resource use, and land uses at local-to-global scales.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

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)

New Jersey Climate Education Hub

English Language Arts

SL.II.8.2Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation.

Science

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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