Climate change
The Earth's climate has changed throughout history. Just in the last 650,000 years there have been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat, with the abrupt end of the last ice age about 7,000 years ago marking the beginning of the modern climate era — and of human civilization. Most of these climate changes are attributed to very small variations in Earth’s orbit that change the amount of solar energy our planet receives.
The current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is very likely human-induced and proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented in the past 1,300 years. Earth-orbiting satellites and other technological advances have enabled scientists to see the big picture, collecting many different types of information about our planet and its climate on a global scale. This body of data, collected over many years, reveals the signals of a changing climate.
This unit lesson will explore some of the causes, effects and solutions to climate change on a global and national level and will explore things that you can undertake as an individual to mitigate the effects.
Much of the resources below have been taken from the Nature Works Everywhere programme and
The current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is very likely human-induced and proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented in the past 1,300 years. Earth-orbiting satellites and other technological advances have enabled scientists to see the big picture, collecting many different types of information about our planet and its climate on a global scale. This body of data, collected over many years, reveals the signals of a changing climate.
This unit lesson will explore some of the causes, effects and solutions to climate change on a global and national level and will explore things that you can undertake as an individual to mitigate the effects.
Much of the resources below have been taken from the Nature Works Everywhere programme and
Credit: http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
KEY QUESTIONS
- What is climate change?
- What is responsible for climate change?
- How will climate change impact our world?
- What is climate resilience?
- How can we become more resilient in the face of climate change?
- What is the role of nature in increasing climate resilience?
- What can citizens do to make an impact where climate change is concerned?
PART 1: The Difference Between Weather and Climate
In order to fully grasp climate change you must first understand the difference between climate and weather. It is this basic understanding that helps to demystify statements we hear like “We had record snowfall this year! How can there be global warming?”
Essentially, weather is short-term – it represents the conditions of the atmosphere over a short period of time. Weather is made up of sun, rain, clouds, wind, snow, flooding, blizzards, thunderstorms and so forth.
Climate is how the atmosphere behaves over a long period of time. When talking about climate scientists usually refer to the averages of precipitation, temperature, and other factors that occur over a long period of time in a particular place. Climate change refers to changes in these long-term daily averages of weather.
Essentially, weather is short-term – it represents the conditions of the atmosphere over a short period of time. Weather is made up of sun, rain, clouds, wind, snow, flooding, blizzards, thunderstorms and so forth.
Climate is how the atmosphere behaves over a long period of time. When talking about climate scientists usually refer to the averages of precipitation, temperature, and other factors that occur over a long period of time in a particular place. Climate change refers to changes in these long-term daily averages of weather.
“Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get.”
ACTIVITY: Explore the HK Observatory Website and look at the difference between the 9 day weather forecast our climate. Do you notice any differences at all?
Part 2: Common Climate Change Questions
ACTIVITY: In small groups you will each be given two questions to research. You will provides a synopsis of the main answer to their question and then 2-3 artifacts that support their answer. These artifacts could be in the form of charts, graphs, images, maps, and/or additional short narratives based on research.
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You will find the answers to these questions at the EPA Climate Change website. You will have 15 minutes to gather as much evidence as you can before presenting to the class.
Part 3: How have humans changed the Earth?
ACTIVITY: Watch this short film below explaining why scientists think that we are entering a new chapter in Earth’s history called “The Anthropocene”. As you watch the film try and summarize the reasons given for giving this time period the name “Anthropocene”.
ACTIVITY: As mentioned above, Scientists have proposed that we have entered a new era – the Anthropocene. They have named it as such because this era is defined by how humans have affected the Earth. In this activity, you will explore the ways in which human activities have shaped the Earth.
The Greenhouse Effect
The Greenhouse Effect
- Visit the NASAs Climate website and read about the greenhouse gas effect. Explain how the greenhouse gas effect contributes to climate change.
- List the gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect and describe their sources.
- Go to NASA’s Climate Time Machine and open the “Carbon Dioxide” viewer. Play the video or drag the slider to see how the Earth’s CO2 levels have changed between 2002 and 2014. Describe the trend that you observe in CO2 concentration over time. Also compare and contrast what you observe between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres of the Earth as well as between different seasons.
- Go to NASA’s Vital Signs page and record the carbon dioxide levels for the present day and the global temperature rise since 1880.
- Go to NASA’s Climate Time Machine and open the “Global Temperature” viewer. On this visualization, what do white, dark blue and dark red areas signify? Describe the general trend in global surface temperature between 1884 and 2014.
- In question 11, you noted the Earth’s average global temperature rise since 1880. It may seem like a small amount – but even a small temperature change can be significant. Visit NASA’s Vital Signs page and describe why this small change is significant.
- List what are some of the long-term effects of climate change described by the Vital Signs of the Planet website?
Part 4: How Will Hong kong Be Impacted by Climate Change?
ACTIVITY: Review the HK Observatory website on climate change. How have the below climatic parameters changes over the past few decades.
Sea level rises are one of the greatest threats to Hong Kong. Explore the surging seas interactive map and make adjustments to the sea levels and see which areas of Hong Kong are under greatest threat. Watch the below to video that discusses climate resiliance. Make note of nature based solutions that are discussed in the video. |
If time allows you can review the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit and exam case studies at how the US has found solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change and discuss whether these solutions could be applied to Hong Kong.
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Further Resources
Global
- Weather Shift – Interactive web tool shows local weather and trends including temperature and precipitation in the US
- Materials for Debates: Pro and Con Arguments For and Against Anthropogenic Climate Change
- Interactive Map: Anthromes: The Global Ecological Patterns Created by Humans
- Article: City Dwellers have lower carbon Footprint
- Article: Hot Times, Summer in the City: Understanding the Urban Heat Wave
- Article: Humanity’s Coming of Age on Earth
- Article: Human Impact Has Pushed Earth Into the Anthropocene
- Interactive Map: Global Top 10 Greenhouse Gas Emitters Data Explorer
- Carbon Map: The interactive maps on this site convey how countries fit into the climate change picture by using cartograms, which are maps that are distorted to reflect a specific dataset.
- Carbon Emissions Past, Present, and Future: Shows how CO2 emissions have changed over the past 150 years for different countries.
- Video: World-wide Fossil Fuel Consumption
- Article and Video: Marshall Islands Disappearing Due to Sea Level Rise
national
- Article: How will Hong Kong be Affected by Climate Change?
- Report: Hong Kong Climate Change Report 2015 - Environment Bureau
- Website: WWF - What can we do - Climate and Energy!
- Website: The Nature Conservancy - Climate Change
- Report: Climate Change Challenges for Hong Kong: An Agenda for Adaptation
- Article: Climate change – hit hard, early and often
- Article: Hong Kong’s coral in crisis as climate change and pollution take their toll
- Article: Hotter, more extreme weather in Hong Kong’s climate change future, forecasters say