Water and

Environmental Racism

Middle and High School Lesson

The Flint water crisis is one of the most egregious examples of environmental racism in recent memory.

Flint is not unique. Throughout the country, poor people and people of color are disproportionately burdened by environmental contamination — in their neighborhoods, schools, and homes.



Drawing from three recent real-world case studies (Flint, Michigan; Newark, New Jersey; and Jackson, Mississippi), we offer a mixer activity (suitable for middle and high school students) that surfaces both the causes and consequences of environmental racism.

This lesson, by Matt Reed and Ursula Wolfe-Rocca, is described in Rethinking Schools magazine.

Also, check out the Teach Climate Justice campaign at the Zinn Education Project and recommended books on the environment for pre-K to 12 at Teaching for Change’s Social Justice Books.

Climate Crisis Has a History

Have you checked out our Climate Crisis Timeline? It is a vital resource for history classes.

The timeline traces the roots of the climate crisis from European colonial expansion and racial capitalism to present-day fossil fuel industry and government projects that exploit and destroy the Earth in the name of profit. It also emphasizes moments and movements of resistance and activism that inform climate justice work today.

Teaching Stories

An educator tweeted this feedback on The Climate Crisis Trial: A Role Play on the Roots of Global Warming.

Share your teaching story about any of the lessons at our site or the climate crisis timeline and we’ll send you a book in appreciation.

Join Us for Class

On Monday, May 6, philosophy professor Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò will discuss his book Reconsidering Reparations, which takes on reparations and distributive justice with wide implications for views of justice, racism, the legacy of colonialism, and climate change policy.

This 90-minute event will start at 4 pm PT / 7 pm ET on Monday, May 6.

ASL interpretation provided.

Professional development credit certificate provided upon request.

Spotlight

Teaching for Black Lives Study Group

Since 2020, the Zinn Education Project has hosted hundreds of Teaching for Black Lives study groups. Teachers discuss how to teach for Black lives and gain the strength to confront right-wing attacks. There is power in numbers. We periodically spotlight Teaching for Black Lives groups.

Tamara Russell, math teacher, and Lorena German, former teacher and co-founder of #DisruptTexts, co-coordinate a Teaching for Black Lives study group for Florida educators to create a “powerful resistance for truth.” They launched a mini social media campaign to raise awareness and pique interest.

Applications are open for Teaching for Black Lives study groups for next school year.

We need your support to double the number of study groups.

Teach Truth Day of Action

June 8, 2024

People in more than 60 cities have already signed up to host Teach Truth/Freedom to Learn events on June 8, 2024, to speak out against anti-history education bills, book bans, and anti-LGBTQ+ attacks.

Right-wing legislation restricting lessons on history and systemic racism also denies students climate literacy.

Co-sponsors for this 4th-annual event are the Abolitionist Teaching Network, AAPF, GLSEN, Institute for Common Power, Learning for Justice, Monument Lab, National Education Association (NEA), The New Republic, Red Wine & Blue, Teach Rock, Who We Are Project, and 50+ more organizations.

Plan an activity of any size — from 1 to 100+. Or host an information table, and we’ll send you display materials. The events are uplifting and impactful.

Conferences and Classes

Check out events hosted by the Zinn Education Project and our colleagues, including the Teach the Black Freedom Struggle online series, SNCC and Grassroots Organizing Discussion Series, Bob Moses Conference (April 27–28), the AAPF Day of Action (May 3), the 4th annual Teach Truth Day and Freedom to Learn Day of Action (June 8), and more.

We Need Your Help

Teachers are under attack for teaching truthfully about U.S. history and the climate crisis. Please donate so that we can continue to offer free lessons and resources, and defend teachers’ right to use them.