2025 Conference Objects

Climate Change: A Family Story

Pizmony-Levy, Oren

Developed by the Center for Sustainable Futures and NYC Public Schools teachers, this adaptable activity invites participants—students or educators—to explore the connections between large-scale climate change trends and their own family histories. Designed for all grade levels and subject areas, the lesson fosters emotional and intellectual engagement by encouraging reflection on how climate change has evolved within one’s lifetime and its implications for future generations.

The resource package includes a PowerPoint presentation with background information on climate change, and a student handout that links to historical data featuring three key variables: global CO₂ levels (parts per million), changes in global temperature (compared to the 20th-century average), and global energy production from all renewables. Participants use these data to anchor family stories in real-world climate trends.

This resource also supports educators in identifying ways to incorporate climate change across the curriculum, making it a valuable tool for both classroom instruction and professional development.