In Tonga, Illuminating the Connections Between Gender and the Environment

• This article and linked video explores how climate change has impacted Tonga, the discrimination that Tongan women face, and the effort to administer a countrywide survey that studies the correlation between gender and environmental issues.
• Students will learn that all Tongans are dealing with acid rain, cyclones, and sea level rise, but that women in this country are additionally hampered with unequal access to resources and economic and social oppression.
  

Positives

• The video is well-produced and displays the people of Tonga during the survey process.
• The article highlights the need for more feedback from women all over the world and more support for gender equity globally.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Students should understand how the burning of fossil fuels leads to acid rain and sea level rise.
• Students should understand why marginalized groups are especially vulnerable to the challenges of climate change.
  

Differentiation

• This resource could accompany a discussion on the Tongan government's effectiveness at dealing with climate change and/or gender discrimination.
• This resource could enhance a discussion on how climate change will disproportionately impact island countries with developing economies.
• This resource could supplement a lesson on how natural disasters and climate change impact some groups more than others.
• This resource could support a lesson on what aspects of human activity lead to acid rain and rising sea levels or about how equal rights and equal access to healthcare and education is both a social and environmental cause.
  

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.