Download Climate change. This topic is a tough one for students to understand

Climate change. This topic is a tough one for students to understand because it requires knowledge of many different
terms. Teach students the definitions of climate and green house gases.
Climate- includes patterns of temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind and seasonse4. "Climate change" affects more
than just a change in the weather; it refers to seasonal changes over a long period of time. These climate patterns play a
fundamental role in shaping natural ecosystems, and the human economies and cultures that depend on them. Because
so many systems are tied to climate, a change in climate can affect many related aspects of where and how people,
plants and animals live, such as food production, availability and use of water, and health risks. This would be a negative
impact to both society and the environment. For example, a change in the usual timing of rains or temperatures can affect
when plants bloom and set fruit, when insects hatch or when streams are their fullest. This can affect historically
synchronized pollination of crops, food for migrating birds, spawning of fish, water supplies for drinking and irrigation,
forest health, and more (Love to Know, Corp, 2013).
Greenhouse gas- “Any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation
produced by solar warming of the Earth's surface. They include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide
(N2O), and water vapour. Although greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere, the elevated levels especially of
carbon dioxide and methane that have been observed in recent decades are directly related, at least in part, to human
activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and the deforestation of tropical forests. (Love to Know, Corp, 2013)”
Greenhouse effect- “The retention of part of the Sun's energy in the Earth's atmosphere in the form of heat as a result of
the presence of greenhouse gases. Solar energy, mostly in the form of short-wavelength visible radiation, penetrates the
atmosphere and is absorbed by the Earth's surface. The heated surface then radiates some of that energy into the
atmosphere in the form of longer-wavelength infrared radiation. Although some of this radiation escapes into space, much
of it is absorbed by greenhouse gases in the lower atmosphere, which in turn re-radiate a portion back to the Earth's
surface. The atmosphere thus acts in a manner roughly analogous to the glass in a greenhouse, which allows sunlight to
penetrate and warm the plants and soil but which traps most of the resulting heat energy inside. The greenhouse effect is
essential to life on Earth; however, the intensification of its effect due to increased levels of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere is considered to be the main contributing factor to global warming (Love to Know, Corp, 2013)”
TASK TO COMPLETE: Create a bubble map summarising Impacts of climate change
From the text samples quoted below summarise specific impacts or predicted TRENDS
Climate change- Climate change is a change in the average pattern of weather over a long period of time. There is clear
evidence that our climate is changing, largely due to human activities. There is overwhelming evidence for human-made
global warming. There are multiple lines of evidence that show the Earth's climate system is warming. These include
increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average
sea level. When scientists talk about climate change they mean warming of the climate system as a whole, which
includes the atmosphere, the oceans, and the cryosphere (ice, snow and frozen ground). The evidence clearly indicates
that the climate system is continuing to warm, including increasing land temperatures, warming oceans and melting snow
and ice. Climate change is not just about global warming. The science indicates that the climate will be altered in many
other ways. For example, there will be changes in rainfall patterns and ocean currents, changes to the intensity and
frequency of extreme events such as storms, droughts and floods, rising global sea level and ocean acidification
(Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, 2012).
(SoE 2011)
From 1970 to 2010, Australia’s mean daily temperature rose in almost all parts of the country. Although total annual
rainfall declined over much of eastern Australia and south-west Western Australia, increases were observed in
central and northern Western Australia and in the north-west Northern Territory. The 13-year period from April 1997
to March 2010 was characterised by severe rainfall deficiencies that covered much of south-western and
southeastern
Australia and south-eastern Queensland. For many places, the severity and duration of drought were
unprecedented, with profound environmental,
social and economic implications. Then, in the 12 months from March 2010, large parts of the continent
experienced above-average rainfall associated with an
extremely strong La Niña event. Most notably, eastern Australia received widespread record-breaking rains, with
associated loss of life and massive damage to agriculture, homes and infrastructure.
if growth in global emissions of GHGs continues in line with past trends, Australia will warm by 2.2– 5.0 °C. A rise of
around 2 °C over just two centuries is expected to lead to widespread and significant risks to Australian natural
ecosystems, water security and coastal communities.
A continuing, spatially variable rise in temperatures across the continent is highly likely.
is the likelihood of more frequent and more severe extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts and
heatwaves. These primary atmospheric risks in turn generate a broad series of secondary and tertiary risks,
including increased mortality and morbidity due to heatwaves and spread of disease vectors; reduced stream flows
and groundwater recharge; reduced soil moisture and loss of topsoil;
and changes in habitat with attendant risk to biodiversity. An increase in bushfires is also likely.
Major harmful impacts
Climate change is likely to affect air quality in a variety of ways. Rising temperatures are likely to lead to the
formation of more ground-level ozone by increasing the generation of both natural and human generated VOCs.
Hotter, drier conditions in many parts of the country, together with more extreme weather events (another likely
result of climate change) can be expected to increase bushfires and dust storms, leading to short-lived, very high
levels of particulate pollution.
Additional Notes
http://vceoutdoorandenvironmentalstudies.wikispaces.com/Unit+4+Outcome+1+Key+Knowledge+5
I
MPACTS
By 2030 Australia will face:
- a further 1 degree Celsius of warming in temperatures
- up to 20 per cent more months of drought
- up to 25 per cent increase in days of very high or extreme fire danger
- increases in storm surges and severe weather events (Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, 2012)
Impacts specific to Victoria:
A rise in sea level will impact coastal settlements, infrastructure and ecosystems.
Low lying places flooded, erosion of sand dunes
Increase in extreme hot weather days
heatwaves become more frequent, more people may suffer heat-related illnesses and death, with the elderly particularly
vulnerable.
Warmer climate in alpine areas means that other species can migrate higher up the mountain, increased predation and
competition in the existing ecosystem (eg foxes, insects)
Species such as the Mountain Pygmy Possum that occupy habitat at the highest elevations and in the coldest
environments will have nowhere to retreat as the climate warms.
Potential changes in climate may reduce productivity and output of Victoria's agricultural industries in the medium to long
term.
(Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, 2012)
Less snow fall
Dryer soils – more evaporation of moisture in the soils, less run off
More evaporation in the rivers, wetlands
More extreme opportunities for flooding
Consistent water flow in rivers will be less
More erratic weather
Warmer climate promotes insect breeding, increased potential for pest insects, spread of human diseases and
agricultural loss of production
Online crossword puzzle
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/quizzes/crossword/100604_crossword_climate.shtml