Description

The first step to taking action to combat climate change is to understand the science behind it, how human activities are contributing to it, and what repercussions it will have for human beings and other living creatures. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: * Explain the science of climate change in simple terms. * Identify what factors contribute to climate change. * Describe the impacts of climate change on human life and the biosphere. * Understand the interconnectedness of all living things and how climate change impacts can disrupt the earth's natural systems. * Discuss the importance of taking immediate and ongoing action to mitigate and prevent future climate change. Assignment 1 1. Watch the video Wake Up, Freak Out, available online at www.wakeupfreakout.org, and take note of the causes of climate change. 2. Conduct research to determine how climate change could lead to the following consequences: * Arctic ice loss * Extreme weather events * Water scarcity * Sea level rise * Threats to species and habitat * Environmental refugees * Spread of disease * Soil degradation and desertification * Ocean acidification Use the handout, The Greenhouse Effect, to get a start on your research. You can also go to You can also go to the TIG Climate Change Issues page to look for organizations, resources and publications on this issue. Use a variety of online resources and at least 2 offline resources. Make sure to reference all sources. 3. Present your explanation to the class. 4. Your teacher will provide you with the handout, The Consequences of Climate Change. Review the handout and make note of how your explanations matched and differed from the explanations provided in the handout. 5. Discuss the following questions in class: a. How does climate change impact humans? b. How does climate change impact the biosphere? c. How does climate change disrupt the earth's natural systems? Assignment 2 1. Work in groups to brainstorm how the many repercussions of climate change are interconnected, using the handout, The Consequences of Climate Change, as a reference. 2. In your groups, use the handouts Blank Mind Maps and Example Climate Change Mind Map to create mind maps that illustrate the links between the various causes and consequences of climate change. You can also use free software to create digital mind maps. Begin by writing the key concept or issue in the middle of the map and then creating branches from this to related issues and consequences. 3. Present your mind maps to the class. You can also scan and upload your maps to the class gallery. Discussion Question 1. Review the handouts Ideas for Taking Action, which provides an overview of the International Day of Climate Action and the Tread Lightly 40-Day Challenge. 2. Think up specific actions that your school could take on the International Day of Climate Action and throughout the 40-Day Challenge. 3. You can also refer to TIG’s Climate Change Youth Guide to Action for ideas 4. Respond to the follow question in the class discussions board: What actions should our school take to mark the International Day of Climate Action? Extensions 1. Read the articles: “Climate Change Taking its Toll” and “The Role of Academics in Climate Change”. 2. Write a reading response for one of the articles. Include the title of the article and the name of the author in the title of your response. Extract a quote from the article and state whether you agree or disagree with the author's point and explain why. 3. Upload your work to the student writing folder.

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