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Green Spaces Lesson:

Civic Action & Data Analysis

SubjectToClimate’s Green Spaces Unit

Lesson 5 of 6

3-5 | ≅ 45 minutes

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Standards

College, Career, & Civic Life (C3) Standards

D2.Geo.2.3-5: Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their environmental characteristics.

Common Core Mathematics Standards (CCSS.MATH)

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NBT.A.2: Read and write multi-digit whole numbers using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form. Compare two multi-digit numbers based on meanings of the digits in each place, using >, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.NF.C.7: Compare two decimals to hundredths by reasoning about their size. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two decimals refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, or <, and justify the conclusions, e.g., by using a visual model.

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Essential Questions

  • How do green spaces help people to be healthy?

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  • How do green spaces help the Earth to be healthy?

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  • How can I advocate for green spaces in my community?

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Learning Outcomes

  1. Explain the relationship between median income, race and tree cover in an area.

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  • Explain the relationship between tree cover and pollution in an area.

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  • Write inequality statements (greater than, less than, or equal to).

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Agenda

  1. Inquire
  2. Investigate
  3. Inspire

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01

Inquire

≌10 minutes

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Remember…

In general, communities with a ___________________ median income have fewer green spaces.

Use what we have learned in previous lessons to fill in the blank.

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Remember this chart?

More examples in cities across the United States:

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American Forests Instagram Post

In general, communities (groups of people) with a higher median income (more money) have more green spaces.

In general, communities (groups of people) with a lower median income (less money) have fewer green spaces.

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Remember…

Why are green spaces important to have in a community?

Share some health benefits of green spaces!

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Trees remove and store CO2.

Then release oxygen into the air.

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Remember…

How did we define the term environmental justice?

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Recall the definition of Environmental Justice

According to the EPA

Kid Terms

No matter who you are, how much money you have, the color of your skin, or where you live,

you have the right to live, learn, and work in a healthy environment.

“Fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.”

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Remember…

Do you remember Jaysa’s story?

Share what you remember! What did she teach us?

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Remember Jaysa?

Jaysa taught us that factories, power plants, and highways are disproportionately placed in low-income communities. The people who live in these communities have higher rates of asthma and other illnesses. These communities often are mostly BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color).

This is an example of

ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE.

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What is the relationship?

Using our math skills, can we dig deeper?

What is the relationship between median income and access to green spaces?

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02

Investigate

≌20 minutes

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We are going to look at two different cities in Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles County is in southern California.

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Los Angeles is sometimes called L.A.

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Pasadena and Compton are two cities located there.

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Compton, LA, California

Pasadena, LA, California

What do you notice?

Population: 96,803

Population: 141,258

Average Income:

$23,217

Average Income:

$39,549

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<

<

<

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Compton, LA, California

Pasadena, LA, California

Which city do you think has more green spaces? Why?

Population: 96,803

Population: 141,258

Average Income:

$23,217

Average Income:

$39,549

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Outline Compton on your Tree Cover Map.

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Outline Pasadena on your Tree Cover Map.

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L.A. Tree Cover Map

Compare Compton

to Pasadena:

    • Which community has more tree cover?

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    • What did we learn in previous lessons about why tree cover is healthy for us and the environment?

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L.A. Air Pollution Map

Compare Compton

to Pasadena:

    • Do the colors match? Red means less tree cover and more pollution burden. Do the reds align?
    • What do we notice about Compton’s data compared to Pasadena’s? Which one is more green?

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<

>

Why do you think this is happening?

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Why do you think this is happening?

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03

Inspire

≌15 minutes

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Watch This Video:

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Turn and Talk:

How could putting more green spaces into low-income communities help?

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How would this be an example of environmental justice?

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Your Perfect Green Space

Return to your drawing of your perfect green space.

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  • Make any final additions or adjustments to your drawing!
  • How will your green space be an example of environmental justice?

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Glossary

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Median Income: the average amount of money that a person in a community earns per month;

can be high, medium or low

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Tree Cover: the amount of land in a community that is covered by trees

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Share your journey with us!

@subjecttoclimate

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Creators & Collaborators

Please leave this slide for attribution.

Amber Medina

Lindsey Pockl

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Authors

Archibong Akpan, PhD

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Scientist Reviewer

Template Slides:

SlidesGo

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Images from:

FreePik, FlatIcon, Pexels, Unsplash, city-data.com, Google Maps, Youth Voices for the Planet, Tree People, LA Times

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Image Resources