Understanding Climate Change: Causes, Impacts, and Solutions

Environmental Science Grades High School 13:00 Video
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Lesson Description

This lesson explores the science behind climate change, examining its causes, impacts on Earth's systems and human societies, and potential solutions. Using the Crash Course Geography video as a foundation, students will delve into the complexities of climate change and its implications.

Video Resource

What is Climate Change? Crash Course Geography #14

CrashCourse

Duration: 13:00
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Climate Change vs. Global Warming
  • Proxy Data and Paleoclimatology
  • Anthropogenic Climate Change
  • Climate change impacts on various regions

Learning Objectives

  • Differentiate between climate change and global warming.
  • Explain how proxy data is used to reconstruct past climates.
  • Identify the primary causes of current global warming.
  • Analyze the impact of climate change on different regions and communities around the world.
  • To promote awareness of current human actions and the relationship to a changing climate

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by showing the Crash Course Geography video: 'What is Climate Change?' Briefly discuss the opening example of the melted glacier in Iceland to engage students.
  • Video Analysis & Discussion (20 mins)
    Play the video again. Students should take notes on key concepts like the difference between climate change and global warming, proxy data, causes of climate change, and regional impacts. After the video, facilitate a class discussion based on the discussion questions below.
  • Interactive Activity: Climate Change Impacts Mapping (25 mins)
    Divide students into groups. Each group will research and map the specific impacts of climate change on a particular region of the world (e.g., coastal cities, agricultural regions, Arctic areas). They will present their findings to the class, highlighting the challenges and potential adaptation strategies.
  • Solutions Brainstorming (15 mins)
    Engage students in a brainstorming session to identify potential solutions to mitigate climate change. Encourage them to consider both individual actions and large-scale policy changes. Discuss the role of corporations and governments in addressing climate change.
  • Assessment (15 mins)
    Administer the multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank quizzes to assess student understanding of the key concepts covered in the lesson.

Interactive Exercises

  • Climate Change Impacts Mapping
    Students research and create a map illustrating the specific impacts of climate change on a chosen region, presenting their findings to the class.

Discussion Questions

  • What is the difference between climate change and global warming, and why is it important to distinguish between them?
  • How do scientists use proxy data to understand past climates, and what are some examples of proxy data?
  • What evidence supports the claim that human activities are the primary cause of current global warming?
  • How will climate change disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and developing nations?
  • What are some personal changes we can make to have a positive impact on the planet?

Skills Developed

  • Critical Thinking
  • Data Analysis
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of the following is the best definition of climate change?

Correct Answer: The change in average weather patterns in a region over a long period of time.

Question 2:

What is proxy data used for in climate science?

Correct Answer: Reconstructing past climates.

Question 3:

Which of the following is considered a primary cause of current global warming?

Correct Answer: Human activities that increase greenhouse gas emissions.

Question 4:

Which of the following greenhouse gasses has the largest impact on climate change?

Correct Answer: Carbon Dioxide

Question 5:

Which of the following is an example of proxy data?

Correct Answer: Tree Rings

Question 6:

Which of the following is a consequence of rising global temperatures?

Correct Answer: Shifting vegetation zones

Question 7:

What is one way in which global warming affects populations living in coastal regions?

Correct Answer: Causes sea levels to rise

Question 8:

Which action can individuals take to reduce their contribution to global warming?

Correct Answer: Reducing their carbon footprint through energy conservation

Question 9:

According to scientists, what is the probability that human activities have caused most of the Earth's warming since the mid-20th century?

Correct Answer: 95%

Question 10:

What is the migration with dignity plan?

Correct Answer: Proactive migration to other lands to avoid the effects of climate change

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

_________ is the increase in the average surface temperature of our planet.

Correct Answer: Global warming

Question 2:

_________ are people being forced to flee their homes for safer places due to the effects of climate change.

Correct Answer: Climate refugees

Question 3:

The study of past climates through proxy data is called _________.

Correct Answer: Paleoclimatology

Question 4:

Data that provide clues about the past climates are called _________ data.

Correct Answer: Proxy

Question 5:

The amount of sunlight a surface reflects back into space is called the _________ effect.

Correct Answer: Albedo

Question 6:

The current period we live in, where the climate is warmer and glaciers retreat, is called an ________ period.

Correct Answer: Interglacial

Question 7:

Scientists have concluded that there is a greater than 95% probability that human activities have caused most of the Earth’s warming since the mid-20th century, this is called _________ global warming.

Correct Answer: Anthropogenic

Question 8:

The country of _________ has 33 atolls that sit less than 2 meters above sea level.

Correct Answer: Kiribati

Question 9:

Multiple lines of evidence show a large percentage that human activities have caused most of the Earth’s warming since the mid-20th century. Some of these activities include burning ________ fuels, industrialization, modern agriculture, and deforestation.

Correct Answer: Fossil

Question 10:

Paleoclimatologists have collected polar ________ core samples and analyzed historical air bubbles from Greenland and Antarctica, tropical glaciers in the mountains of the Andes and Kenya, and mid-latitude glaciers in the Alps and Himalayas.

Correct Answer: Ice

Educational Standards

EN.ESS2.4:[Standard] Analyze and interpret data to explore how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems causes changes to the atmosphere and climate. EN.ESS3.1:[Standard] Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate effect human activity. EN.ESS3.4:[Standard] Evaluate design solutions for a major global or local environmental problem that reduces or stabilizes the impacts of human activities on natural systems.*

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