Is Democracy Failing at Climate Change?

• This video critiques the form of parliamentary democracy common today and proposes three solutions to update democracy.
• Students are introduced to concepts like strategic voting, alternative votes, citizens' assemblies, and separation of powers.

Positives

• This video challenges students to reflect on current power structures that they may otherwise consider unchangeable. 
• The video is easy to follow and explains each concept it mentions.

Additional Prerequisites

• You can select which part of the video you would like to watch by selecting it on the scroll bar at the bottom of the video.
• Students should remember that the form of government (parliamentary democracy) discussed in the video may not have the same structure as their country's government.
• There may be an advertisement before the video.
  

Differentiation

• Have students consider how the ideas presented can be applied to their local, state, and national governments.
• As a follow-up activity, turn your classroom into a citizens' assembly, challenging students to propose new ideas and laws that would positively impact their community.
• Have students reflect on why democratic decision-making is important to solving climate change and ensuring climate justice.
• This resource can also be used in economics classes during lessons about the role economic systems and private interests play in democracies.

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