This lesson provides a high-level look at the environmental justice (EJ) movement, tracing its evolution from its origins to current practices and into future possibilities within California and beyond. Students are invited to engage with interactive content, including maps and timelines. Emphasizing the importance of Indigenous perspectives and community-specific contexts, the lesson aims to equip students with the knowledge to define key EJ concepts and inspire them to actively participate in environmental advocacy at both local and global levels. Lesson 1 is a 76-page self-paced workbook containing 5 activities and reflections, 1 major mapping project, and an opportunity to apply what students have learned to their community. 

Click this option if you identify as a youth (access free of charge). Downloadable PDF of Lesson 1: Introduction to Environmental Justice. Self-guided workbook including lessons, videos, activities, reflection exercises, and more!

This lesson provides a high-level look at the environmental justice (EJ) movement, tracing its evolution from its origins to current practices and into future possibilities within California and beyond. Students are invited to engage with interactive content, including maps and timelines. Emphasizing the importance of Indigenous perspectives and community-specific contexts, the lesson aims to equip students with the knowledge to define key EJ concepts and inspire them to actively participate in environmental advocacy at both local and global levels. Lesson 1 is a 76-page self-paced workbook containing 5 activities and reflections, 1 major mapping project, and an opportunity to apply what students have learned to their community. 

Students will explore an intersectional lens to environmentalism through examining different case studies that are relevant to their communities. Lesson 2 is a 60-page self-paced workbook containing 3 comprehensive case studies from community partners. Students will apply their understanding of intersectional environmentalism through researching, analyzing and synthesizing their learnings to produce a creative project on an environmental justice challenge in their local neighborhoods with an intersectional framework.

Students will explore an intersectional lens to environmentalism through examining different case studies that are relevant to their communities. Lesson 2 is a 60-page self-paced workbook containing 3 comprehensive case studies from community partners. Students will apply their understanding of intersectional environmentalism through researching, analyzing and synthesizing their learnings to produce a creative project on an environmental justice challenge in their local neighborhoods with an intersectional framework.