EXPEDITIO

INFORMATION

GREAT
BARRIER
REEF

Largest Coral Reef on Earth stretches more than a 1000 miles (1609 km) along coast of Australi
Coral reefs found in shallow tropical waters provide habitat for different kinds of fish+animal
Greenhouse Gases (in atmosphere) hurting the reef and other coral reefs
Two of the biggest threats: Rising water temperature and Increasing Ocean Acidity
Coral reefs made up tiny animals called corals.
Each coral has microscopic algae living inside it These algae are what make coral reefs so colo
provide the algae with home and nutrients and in return algae produce food that the corals nee
Climate change warmer oceans than normal makes it hard for corals to provide enough nutrie
The algae can either leave or die
When this happens the corals turn white and become Bleached
If the water cools down again algae may return (corals may recover) if not corals will die and l
skeletons behind
Bleaching is not the only threat to coral reefs, the main greenhouse gas CO2 (produced by human
ocean is absorbing some and extra of the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
When CO2 mixes with seawater a chemical reaction occurs that creates carbonic acid (the sa
in carbonated soda) Extra carbonic acid is making the ocean more acidic
This slight change in oceans chemistry can make it harder for some creatures like corals and clam
skeletons and shells they need for protection.

MALDIVE
S

Smallest Country in world entire country series of islands in Indian Ocean lowest country on Ea
ground only 5 feet above sea level and highest point: 7 and half feet)
Climate Change causing sea level to rise because Maldives has low elevation
1. Warmer Water Temps as water gets warmer it expands and takes more space
2. Warmer Air Temps More ice to melt around world as ice melts on land extra water flows
causes sea levels to rise.
TYPES OF ICE
GLACIERS AND ICE SHEETS: Large, slow moving rivers of ice that accumulate on land over long
ICEBERGS: Chunks of glaciers or ice sheets that break off fall into ocean and float away
SEA ICE: From the top layer of sea ocean that freezes
All these types of ice are melting because of warmer temperatures

THE ALPS

Best ski slopes in world

Nestled area called the Alps part of 7 countries (France, Switzerland, Germany, Liechtenstein, It
Austria In heart of Europe)
Popular area for tourists and skiers
Snowpack layer of snow that builds up on ground in winter
Snowpack when melts fresh drinking water supply to streams and water supply reservoirs in Eu
Climate change shrinking amount of snowpack in Alps and other mountain ranges around the w
Warm temperatures less snow and more rain in winter causing snowpack to melt earlier in spr

THE
ARCTIC

Arctic Ocean surrounds North Pole and because it is so cold here the top layer of the ocean freeze
Global temperatures are rising which is causing sea ice from the Arctic to melt
The big difference of ice in September 1979 to September 2007 (2007 had least ice on record)
2008 and 2009 had a bit more than 2007 but still well below the normal amount achieved in 1970

SOUTH
EAST
ASIA

Surrounded by water million live along the or in low-lying river deltas (Climate+Geography m
susceptible to infectious diseases)
Infectious Disease bacteria, viruses and parasites (can be transmitted from one person to anoth
as mosquitoes or through contaminated food +water)
Transmission of infectious diseases by certain organisms requires certain climate e.g. Parasites
are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes that thrive in humid places
IDEAL CONDITIONS DISEASE SPREAD: Warm with more rainfall Climate change warm tem
more intense tropical storms (e.g. hurricanes) Storms cause flooding these floods leave behin
perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes who need warm climate+ shallow water for reproducin
Droughts As lakes and rivers dry up leave behind puddles of water mosquitoes lay eggs
VECTOR: Any kind of animal that carries or transmits disease to humans or other animals inclu
mosquitoes, flies, ticks, lice and fleas.
Malaria Mosquitoes , Lyme Disease Ticks

SOUTHWESTERN
AFRICA

MIDWEST
UNITED
STATES:
AGRICULT
URE

Dry+arid plants and animals here rely on a few rainfalls each year to survive as well as people
and animals
Droughts expected to get longer and more severe (because of climate change)
EFFECTS OF DROUGHTS: Brown grass, plants shrivelling up and lakes+streams less water tha
Droughts caused by changes in weather patterns E.g. US midwest relies on wind patterns that
from the Gulf of Mexico if timing+direction of these winds is different then less rain than usua
Weather Patterns depend on interactions between the atmosphere and ocean (sometimes th
happen between 100s or 1000s miles away)
E.g. Change in water temp in Pacific Ocean disrupt weather patterns that bring rain to South-W
Climate change is causing certain weather patterns around the world to shift some places alrea
rain than used to while others less

Best weather and soil conditions for growing all kinds of different crops especially grain and corn
Farmer also raise many animals agriculture is very important to economy and climate is very i
agriculture
Adding of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to atmosphere affect ways of agriculture
On average temps going up rainfall and snow patterns changing heatwaves, droughts, floods
becoming stronger and happening more often
Extra carbon dioxide in atmosphere directly affects way plants grow positive+negative ways
Climate change more places to get warmer midwest - winter is typically cold and most crops g
last spring frost and the first fall frost (aka. Growing Season)
As temps rise growing seasons could get longer farmers might be able to grow more crops or
crops but some crops like corn and wheat cant grow well if temperatures get too hot (harder to
places already warm)
Warmer temps changes in precipitation (some place more rain others less)
Too much rain flooding , too little rain droughts