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The Great Acceleration

Driving Question: Why has change accelerated since 1945?

The world changed quickly after 1945. Examine how technological, health, and food production advances have increased global pressures and impacted the environment.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Use evidence to analyze how globalization has impacted the environment.
  2. Create arguments using historical evidence to support claims and communicate conclusions through informal writing.

Vocab Terms:

  • biodiversity
  • climate change
  • emissions
  • environment
  • pesticide
  • unsustainable
  • vaccination
STEP 1

Opener: The Great Acceleration

Coming soon!

STEP 2

Accelerating Population Growth

In this part of the lesson, you’ll explore how rapid population growth and environmental trends reveal the pace of global change. From urbanization to rising resource use, these shifts help explain why the post-1945 era feels so accelerated.

STEP 3

Is Change Accelerating?

Are things changing faster than ever before? In these materials, you’ll examine how advances in technology have transformed our world and what this means for the future.

Green Revolution External link

The Green Revolution’s new agricultural technology transfers aimed to reduce world hunger, but also politicized food and aid in ways that were sometimes controversial.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.

Eradicating Smallpox External link

In 1980, humanity officially eradicated the dreaded smallpox disease. Dr. Larry Brilliant tells the long history of this unique accomplishment and what it means for the future.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 4

Debating Acceleration

It’s your turn to take a stand! Weigh the evidence and debate a big question: Can innovation keep up with the pace of change? You’ll sharpen your argument skills and deepen your understanding of how acceleration shapes our future.

STEP 5

Closer: The Great Acceleration

Coming soon!