Climate change is already beginning to transform life on Earth. Around the globe, seasons are shifting, temperatures are climbing and sea levels are rising. If we don’t act now, climate change will rapidly alter the lands and waters we all depend upon for survival, leaving our children and grandchildren with a very different world. - Nature Conservancy What are the repercussions of climate change? repercussion: an unintended consequence occurring some time after an event or action, especially an unwelcome one (i.e. impacts) Turn and talk: With your partner (or at your table), brainstorm a list of things that you think might be repercussions of climate change. (Be ready to share one or two things with the whole class.) Some Examples:
1. Sea level rise. Already we are seeing
people displaced by sea level rise, and there is strong potential of many more climate change refugees. This also takes away farmland. Examples (con’t)
2. Spread of diseases. Diseases (like
malaria and west nile virus) that are spread by insects are expanding their range due to warmer weather. Examples (con’t) 3. Extreme weather events. Warmer ocean waters leads to more intense hurricanes. Warmer air holds more moisture, so heavy rainfall and floods are occurring around the world. Also extreme droughts are being seen during the dry season. Examples (con’t) 4. Ocean acidification occurs as carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean. This changes the pH, making it more acidic. This is killing coral reefs, which has huge effects on the species that depend on coral to live in. Ten Indicators of a Changing Climate: The next image shows ten indicators (signs) of a changing climate. The figure was made by the National Climate Assessment and Development Advisory Committee. (2010). (Figure source: NOAA NCDC based on data updated from Kennedy et al. 2010) Stop and Jot: Complete this table in your packet Indicator What evidence What could be How is this about this the impact indicator indicator have of this impacting you seen indicator on you? or read about? wildlife, cities,etc.? Increased water vapor = higher humidity. Research Project: What are possible repercussions of climate change? (Research Link: http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/) Task: ● Find your assigned Region or Sector on the National Climate Assessment website. ● Read through the introduction and browse through the key messages ● Write important background information from the Introduction ● Choose 1-3 Key messages and explain the main ideas from the key messages ● Choose at least 2 figures that support your key message(s) and explain how the figures support the key message ● Make a slideshow to summarize your research ● Present the slideshow to the class.