Evaluating Climate Impacts
Teacher Resources
Lesson 2.1 Teaching Guide
Blog: Translating Data and Evidence
Video: Claim Testing
Driving Question: How can we think about the impacts of climate change?
Climate change is not some far-off danger. It’s here, and the effects of climate change are already being felt around the world. To be able to effectively deal with these impacts now and in the future, we must first understand how they are affecting different natural and human systems. In this lesson, you’ll learn to identify the various effects of climate change and how they may be impacting regions and communities differently.
- Distinguish between the direct and indirect impacts of climate change.
- Articulate the interconnected nature of current and potential impacts on human and natural systems.
- Assess how the impacts of climate change vary regionally based on factors including geography and socioeconomic conditions.
Opener
The impacts of climate change can be felt in many ways. Take a few minutes to brainstorm some effects of climate change to help you prepare to dive into this lesson’s content.
How Will Climate Change Continue to Affect Us? Crash Course Climate & Energy #8
Climate change is already being felt by ecosystems and communities around the world, but not always in the same ways or to the same extent. This video explores the current and potential effects of climate change.
Key Ideas
-
Before you watch
Before you watch the video, it’s a good idea to open and skim the video transcript. And always read the questions below so you know what to look and listen for as you watch!
While you watch
- Why are small amounts of warming significant when it comes to climate?
- How are extreme weather events like heatwaves and wildfires connected to climate change?
- How do climate models contribute to our understanding of climate impacts?
- According to this video, what are the “ripple effects” of climate change? What’s one example of a ripple effect?
- What’s a feedback loop and how do they contribute to the impacts of climate change?
After you watch
- Sometimes it’s difficult to see how the effects of climate change in one area can impact places on the other side of the world. Why is it important to understand and evaluate the interconnection between climate impacts?
Article
Climate change is already impacting us all, but not everyone experiences it in the same way. Learn about the difference between direct and indirect impacts of climate change, and how these effects are interconnected.
-
Skim
Before you read, you should quickly skim the article, by looking at the headings of each section and the charts. Read the questions below as well, so you know what to look for when you read!
Key Ideas
- What is the difference between direct and indirect impacts of climate change?
- What is the relationship between climate change and natural disasters?
- How can direct impacts of climate change lead to indirect impacts, like political conflict?
- How can we minimize the direct impacts of climate change?
- How can we minimize the indirect impacts of climate change?
Evaluate
- The article discusses the importance of differentiating between direct and indirect impacts of climate change. What is another reason, aside from those noted in the article, why these two sets of impacts should be differentiated?
- Several examples of communities facing both direct and indirect impacts of climate change were provided in the article. Provide another example of a community that might face both types of impacts. Include ideas on how the direct and indirect impacts may interact with each other.
Explore individual case studies to gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of climate change.
Activity
Explore individual stories from different regions of the world to identify and evaluate the various impacts these individuals are experiencing and learn more about the direct and indirect impacts of climate change.
Article
Closer
What’s a direct climate impact, and what’s an indirect impact? Use your knowledge from this lesson to revisit the impacts from the opener activity.