Intro to America and Climate Change: Denial, Progress, and Political Divides

Climate change is an important part of America’s story. The country has always wanted to protect nature, but it also values progress and industry. This has created a constant back-and-forth between using natural resources and saving them. The way America deals with these choices affects not just the United States but the entire world, since it is one of the largest polluters and has a lot of influence. Knowing why America acts, or doesn’t act, on climate change helps us understand why change can be slow or difficult.

What Will You Learn?

In this lesson, you’ll learn about:

• How Americans first valued nature, and how that changed with industry.
• The start of environmental protection and important laws, like the Clean Air Act.
• How political arguments over climate change grew, from cooperation in the 1960s and 70s to deep disagreement today.
• What presidents, scientists, activists, and businesses have done, sometimes helping, sometimes holding back, when it comes to climate policy.
• How and why climate change denial became strong in some American groups.

By the end, you should be able to:

• Name key moments and people in America’s environmental history.
• Explain how culture and politics shaped climate decisions.
• Understand why some groups deny climate change and how that affects opinions and policies.
• Think about the challenges and contradictions America faces with climate and energy.

How to Approach This Course

Pay close attention to the video, focusing on significant historical moments, influential figures, and pivotal events. Reflect on how themes like freedom, independence, and innovation both drive and challenge climate action in the U.S. Consider how past and present debates on climate change connect to the world around you today. After the course, you'll take a brief quiz. Pay attention to key names, events, policies, and their connections to one another to ensure you're prepared.