In order to deepen your understanding about climate change, click on the link called 'What is climate change' and answer the following questions: 1. What is climate change? Include the difference between weather and climate in your answer. 2. What is the climate system? (Note: If you don't remember from the previous activity, use the link 'Climate system'.) 3. What are the natural and human-induced causes of climate change? 4. What is global warming? 5. Explain how disturbances to the climate system can trigger further changes in its initial disturbance. Use an example to underpin your answer.
Answer the following questions in order to deepen your understanding: 1. What are the four main greenhouse gases? 2. What is the greenhouse effect? How are greenhouse gases warming up the planet? Using the link called 'Greenhouse effect', draw the diagram of the enhanced greenhouse effect into your notebook and then answer the questions. 3. What would happen without the above process? What would be a possible impact on living on our planet? 4. From what you have learned and know about so far, what do you think is the biggest source of human-induced greenhouse pollution? 5. What have ocean currents and the conveyor belt to do with climate change? 6. Do some research to find out how economic, social and political processes have influenced climate change in a negative and/ or positive way? (Note: You can use the link called 'Economic activity' as a starting point.)
1. Looking at the clip about deforestation on our main page, answer the following questions: a) How does deforestation impact the amount of greenhouse gases? b) What are the main causes of deforestation? c) What are the consequences of deforestation, especially in regards to climate change? d) What are some solutions to these impacts? e) How can YOU decrease the effects of deforestation? 2. Looking at the clip about air pollution on our main page, answer the following questions: a) What are the main causes of air pollution? b) What are some of the consequences of air pollution? c) What are some solutions to these impacts? d) How can YOU decrease the effects of air pollution?
1. Click on the link 'Physical and human causes' below and answer the following questions. (Note: You will need most pages in order to do so.) a) Which areas are mostly at risk in regards to climate change? Be specific to what the risks are. b) What are the 6 different sources which provide evidence about climate change? c) How are Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) interfering with our ozone layer, and therefore, how have they contributed to climate change? (Note: Use the clip on the bottom in order to gain a deeper understanding.) d) In which products can CFCs be found? e) Which is the most affected area by CFCs? Why is this the case? f) What has been done since we found out what CFCs are doing to our planet? Is this solution working? g) Explain the interconnections of global temperature rises, the concentrations of CO2 and methane as shown in the graphs. Be specific and use the data wisely. h) Draw a table with the subheadings 'Physical causes' and 'Human causes' of climate change. Add all possible causes from the website.
2. Read through both links below and answer in one TEEL paragraph or more (at least 5 sentences), how climate change has changed over the course of time and how human actions have influenced this process.
Many observations show that the ocean has been changing over the last several decades. One aspect of this change is ocean warming, which results in an increase of ocean volume through thermal expansion. There has also been addition of water from glacier and ice sheets, as well as changes in storage of water on or in the land (e.g. retention of water in man-made dams and extraction of water from aquifers). Together, these factors result in sea level rises. a) Use Table 1 below to draw a line graph on the attached graph paper. Don't forget your BATKIS! (Note: If you can't remember how to draw it, go into our skills section.)
b) Use the link 'Sea level' below and describe in a TEEL paragraph the global mean sea level rises from 1880- 2012. In your description, don't forget to mention the following:
Which word applies to the graph: linear, non-linear, increasing or decreasing?
What does the x- and y-axis show?
What does the blue line with the blue highlighting represent?
What does the red line show?
What has been happening to global sea levels since 1880?
c) What factors might be contributing to the 'up and down' of the blue line. d) Who do you think will be most affected by further increase in sea levels?
There are many indicators, which give us an idea about the state of our planet and the impacts of climate change; some of them are easier measurable than others and these have been measured over the course of time. Therefore, have a read through the five vital signs of climate change on the website below and describe each one of them in a short paragraph. Use a description of the graphs (this is your evidence) in your answer. Your paragraphs should be about the following: a) Carbon dioxide b) Global temperature c) Arctic sea ice minimum d) Ice sheets (Note: Here you can also also use the link 'Analysis: Arctic sea ice'.) e) Sea level
Use the link and map below to add the 10 most affected areas by climate change. a) Add the places as good as you can (sometimes it might be a specific country, town or region etc.). b) Annotate your map with details about the causes and impacts for each issue of climate change. c) Don't forget your BOLTSS! d) Answer: Is there a pattern where some areas might be more affected than others? Are there any anomalies?
On March 2nd, 2013, warriors across 14 Pacific island nations answered a call, brought on by the threat of climate change. The warrior spirit of the Pacific Islands rose to show the world "We are not drowning. We are fighting." The Warrior Spirit of the Pacific Islands has now awoken to fight climate change. Therefore, your task is to watch the clip below and answer the following questions: 1. What are some of the impacts of climate change on the Pacific Islands? 2. What are most of the songs about? 3. What does “We are not drowning. We are fighting” refer to? 4. Make a list of some social, economic and environmental impacts of climate change on the Pacific Islands. 5. Some people suggest that the poorest communities in the world are suffering because of the actions of the richest nations. While Australia is feeling the impacts of climate change, it’s people in developing countries like the Pacific Islands, South East Asia and sub Saharan Africa who are being most impacted environmentally, culturally and economically. Do you agree this is a matter of ethics? Explain your answer.
Use the link below and draw a table with the sub-headings: Coasts; cities and built environment; agriculture, forestry and fisheries; water resources; natural ecosystems; and health and well-being. Add all possible causes for necessary changes and at least 2 impacts for each of these sections
1. Use the link 'How do we expect climate to evolve' and answer the following questions: a) What is expected to happen in Australia in the future? b) What is the main cause and effect of this trend? c) What is our best option to contravene these climate change effects? Do you think this is feasible? Explain your answer.
2. Use the link 'What are the impacts of climate change', draw a table with the sub-headings ecosystems, bushfires, food security, health and infrastructure on one side; and the sub-headings social, economic and environmental effects/ impacts on the other. Extract the important messages from the text to deepen your understanding about the future of our nation.
3. The health risk of climate change is often not discussed in all detail but plays an important role for our survival, therefore use the link 'Climate change challenges to health', pick two of the five main impacts and explain how they have a social, economic and/ or environmental effect (where appropriate, use all three criteria).
4. Use the link 'International climate impacts' and answer the following question: In your own opinion, should we be more or less concerned about certain continents, regions or people than others? Justify your answer.
Watch the clip 'Ocean Acidification' below and answer the following questions: 1. What is ocean acidification? Describe what happens. 2. What are some of the consequences of ocean acidification on the natural and human environment? 3. What can be done in order to 'help' the ocean? 4. How might rising ocean acidity affect Australia and especially the Great Barrier Reef? (Note: You can use the link 'Impact on Reef' for additional information.)
A Saami man moves his reindeer herd north in spring.
Watch the clip below and answer the following questions: 1. HowmightclimatechangebringanendtothetraditionalSaamiwayoflife? 2. DescribetheimpactofclimatechangeonplantsandanimalsintheArcticregion.
So far we have mostly learned about all the negative consequences of climate change but indeed, there are some positive consequences, too, some scientists would argue. Firstly, click on the link 'Local and global effects' and make a list of all the possible positive advantages of climate change. Secondly, highlight any advantages, which might affect Australia in a positive way.
1. Research and describe these strategies in your own words: Reducing energy use from fossil fuel sources, carbon trading, sequestration, land use, better forestry practices, and fuel cell technology. Answer: Which of these strategies might be easier to achieve in Australia? 2. Use the links 'KP introduction', 'Howard firmly against Kyoto' and further research to answer the following questions: a) What is the Kyoto Protocol? b) Why is the Kyoto Protocol setting a higher burden on some countries? Is this justified? Do you think all countries would agree? Explain your answer. c) It says, "Countries must meet their targets primarily through national measures". What is the problem with this statement? d) What are some of the arguments, especially according to Howard, why Australia shouldn't have joined (as they have joined by now) the Kyoto Protocol? e) In your opinion, can the Kyoto Protocol be successful? Justify your answer.
3. According to the link 'International climate action', answer the following questions: a) What are the main future targets for Australia and international cooperation? b) Looking at this targets, does anything strike you as odd? In other words, do you see any issues with these priorities for an effective framework?
As great as some of the efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change are, some limitations don't only involve working together as a global community but also our ability to make future predictions, which we want to earn about. Therefore, click on the link below and answer the following questions: 1. List all reasons you can find, why climate change prediction is so difficult to make. 2. What do most scientists agree to nowadays? 3. What is the problem with our future predictions? 4. Why is science playing an integral role in regards to any climate change issues and its policies?
1. Using the below link 'Australian Government addressing climate change', do the following: Read through the five different levels and what can be done on each level in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (government and international level; business and industry; farmers and land managers; local government and community level; and an individual and household level). Then choose one initiative/ program per level and explain it in more details.
2. Using the link 'Management strategies and their limitations', do the following: a) What are the four main strategies employed to minimize the impact of climate change? b) What problems can you see with these strategies? c) Looking at the section 'The Energy Debate', what are some of the arguments against mostly accepted causes, impacts and solutions to climate change issues? Can you agree to some of the reasoning?
3. Using the link 'Options to address climate change', answer the following questions: a) What are the four necessary strategies to mange the risks of human-induced climate change strategies? b) Explain in a few sentences, what you think will be necessary to slow down or even reduce the effects of climate change.
Follow the link 'Sealeaf' at the bottom, watch the clip and answer the following questions: a) What is the Sealeaf project? b) What do you like about this project? What puzzles you? c) What are some of the social, economic and environmental advantages and disadvantages of this project? You can draw a table for this task. d) Looking at your advantages and disadvantages from the previous task, can this project work and/ or will it only work for some places/ countries/ communities and not for others? Justify your answer.
1. Use the link 'National Geographic Mapmaker' to view the different correlations in regards to climate change around the world. One correlation could be the distribution of global rainfall and the patterns related to land cover. What other correlations would you expect and/ or can you detect?
3. Use the link 'Null School Earth' and view global weather patterns. How would weather patterns increase or decrease climate change effects in different places?
1. On the attached map, complete a choropleth map for NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS and NT using the ‘Maximum temperature- anomaly (°C)’ data (Table 1: AREAL AVERAGE TEMPERATURES 2017) from the attached Pdf called 'Practical exercise- Appendices'. Ensure that you complete your map with all necessary cartographic conventions. 2. On the attached graph paper, complete a multiple bar chart for NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS and NT, comparing 2005 and 2016 for total CO2-e emissions (see Pdf called 'State territory inventories 2016', p. 26-29). Ensure that you complete your graph with all necessary geographic conventions. 3. In an extended paragraph of at least 100 words, describe the distribution patterns and any anomalies evident in the completed choropleth map. 4. In an extended paragraph of at least 100 words, describe the trend and any anomalies evident in the multiple bar chart. 5. In an extended paragraph of at least 200 words, explain the relationships between the distribution of maximum temperature anomalies from your choropleth map and total CO2-e emissions from your multiple bar chart. Make sure you also mention any anomalies in the data.
6. In an extended paragraph of at least 250 words, respond to the issue below. You will need to justify your decision with reasoned and logical arguments, using the graphs, maps and/ or statistics from the Pdf called 'State of the Climate 2016' and from the Pdf called 'State territory inventories 2016' as your evidence.
Issue: Imagine you want to move with your family to the coast as you would like to be close to the sea but are worried about the potential long-term effects climate change could have on the place you are selecting. You are also an eager hobby farmer and would like to save money by being more self-sufficient and do some subsistence farming with the future prospect to become a full-time farmer. As a result, you will have to study the effects of climate change closely in order to consider where to move to.
As shown in Map 1, you have the following two alternative locations in mind: 1. Broom, WA 2. Bowen, QLD
Note: You will need to consider your location in terms of the following criteria: Criterion 1: Will the location maintain/ improve the long-term quality of life for your family? Criterion 2: Will the location come with high long-term costs for your family? Criterion 3: Will the location be environmentally better/ safer?