Impacts of Climate Change Part 1: Global Impacts of Climate ChangePart 2: How has the climate in Colorado changed?Part 3: What are future projections for Colorado and how will they affect me?

Part 1:Lesson 6: Making Climate Change Connections (adapted from Facing the Future)

Goal: Students consider the impacts of climate change on different environments and people around the world and explore connections among these changes.

Hook: Pair-share: How is climate change affecting places around the world? Brainstorm impacts you have heard about.

Mini Lesson Divide students into pairs, give them one scenarioExplain questions that need to be answered and conversation format

Practice Student HandoutRead the text and create a conversation between yourself and the person in your scenario. (2 minutes) Include the following information:

Where? Describe the environment. What species (plant or animal) are mentioned? How are they

affected by climate change? How are humans using the environment? How have these

activities been affected by climate change? Is the eyewitness doing anything to reduce the impacts of

climate change?

Practice (whole class) Modification is that students will act out their information in a conversation – if time is limited, split class in half and have students present to one half with a second teacher In addition to presenting, students should write the name of their place and summary of the impact and post it on a world map. Make a large concept web on the board with the impacts and connections of impacts. Students should also create their own concept map

Debrief Discuss reflection questions, 1-4, 6, In journals, students answer 7 and how do you see any of these changes affecting you?

Extension Students can choose their own impact of interest from a few websites.http://www.panda.org/climatewitnesshttp://www.npr.org/news/specials/climate/interactive

ResourcesWorld map (for posting impacts) could project a map on the wallStudent Handout including concept map

Computers for the extension activityreadings

Name:Date:

Making Climate Change ConnectionsRead the text and create a conversation between yourself and the person in your scenario. (2 minutes) Include the following information:

Where? Describe the environment. What species (plant or animal) are mentioned? How are they affected by climate

change? How are humans using the environment? How have these activities been affected by

climate change? Is the eyewitness doing anything to reduce the impacts of climate change?

On a notecard, write the location of your eyewitness and one sentence or phrase describing the impact.

In your journal, create a concept map that explains how impacts affect each other.Answer question 7.

Day 2: Adapted from http://learnmoreaboutclimate.colorado.edu/model-lessons/evidence-of-climate-changeGoal: Students will understand how climate is changing in Colorado.Students will understand that multiple sources of data are needed to show change and not all changes are represented in Colorado.Hook: How is the climate in Colorado changing? (show some headlines)

http://www.cgd.ucar.edu/cas/ or http://www.dailyclimate.org/What do you think? What evidence would you use to support your hypothesis?(Do a think pair share and have kids report out)

Mini Lesson Let’s look at climate changes and impacts in ColoradoExplain table, impacts, what and who it will impact Watch hotter, drier, Colorado – record impacts (if possible, who it affects) (first 5:45 min show impacts)

1. Model how to fill out the Part A: Individual and Group Observation sheet with the class

2. Divide each class into 8 groups and assign them one of the following topics:

1. Snow Pack2. Type of Precipitation3. Yearly Precipitation4. Average Yearly Temperature5. Frequency of Forest Fires6. Peak River Flow Date7. Glaciers8. Bird distribution

Practice 3. In groups have students fill in the topic and their hypothesis on the Part A: Individual and Group Observation sheet

4. Then have students analyze the data and fill in the rest of the Part A: Group Data Analysis sheet

5. Assign a recorder, a presenter, facilitator, time keeper within the group

6. Give students time to prepare their presentations7. Hand out the chart: Summary of Findings about Colorado

Climate 8. Have each group present; at the conclusion of each

presentation have students fill in the appropriate part of the chart

Debrief 9. Summarize all of the findings with the class. Ask students to make connections to eyewitness impacts.

10. Show future projections.11. Hand out conclusion worksheet and have students write a news

article or an eyewitness report incorporating the class findings. How will climate change affect you? What would tell others?

12. What can we do? (show rest of video) and Show from 7:40 on

colorado and a warming planet

ResourcesClimate change in Colorado by Colorado Water Conservation Board 2008Headlines

Boulder and St. Vrain creeks closed to tubers because of high water

By Laura Snider, Camera Staff WriterPosted: 06/07/2010 10:32:02 AM MDThttp://www.dailycamera.com/ci_15243974

Will Boulder’s Water Supply Stand Up to Climate Change?

By Caitlyn Kennedy - NOAA Climate Program Office

June 3, 2011

Climate Change Tempers Good News About Colorado River Basin Water Supply

Published: July 13th, 2011 in Impacts, Trends, Projections, Climate, Extremes, Drought, Water, Snow & Ice, Society, States of Change, United States, Southwest, West

http://www.climatecentral.org/news/category/show/extremes

Behold the incredible shrinking Colorado River

Experts: Even worse water shortages possible due to warming, population

Msnbc

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17276693/ns/us_news-environment/t/behold-incredible-shrinking-colorado-river/

Show video from http://learnmoreaboutclimate.colorado.edu/

Colorado and a Warming Planet addresses more dramatic global impacts and discusses increase in CO2 and how it relates to past climate at that time, focuses on poles melting (could use this to relate global impacts and connection to student, emphasizes how a global effort is needed and how it is much different from change in the past (7:40 talks about impact on Colorado) ends on an optimistic note

Hotter, drier Colorado focuses on water in colorado

Name:Date:

CLIMATE CHANGE IN COLORADO

How would we know if Colorado’s climate is changing? How will it affect us?Problem: Does your data show evidence of climate change? Our topic __________________.

Hypothesis:

Materials: Data packet for topic

Procedure:

1. Read data packet. Does your evidence support climate change? Why or why not ? Record ideas in table 1. This should take about 5 minutes.

2. Join your group. Share your thoughts. Be sure to listen to the ideas of others. Record your group’s observations in table 2.

3. Did you all agree? If not, keep this discussion going. Try to resolve your differences and reach a consensus. Record final results in results section.

4. Be prepared to present your findings to the class. State your consensus. Each member should be able to give the class a reason why you agreed.

Observations:

Table 1 (your individual thoughts)

Does the evidence support? (yes or no) Why or why not?

Table 2 (group ideas)

Name Support? Why or why not?

Results:

1. What was your final consensus? Did your data support climate change?

2. Explain at least two reasons why your group reached this consensus.

3. Describe at least two areas where your group struggled with the data. Was it confusing? Were trends hard to find?

Data type Data source Impact and Evidence How will this affect you?Yearly Precipitation

Average Yearly Temperature

Snow Pack

Frequency of Forest Fires

Peak River Flow Days

Glaciers

Bird Distribution

Hitting Home: Climate Change in Colorado?

Analysis & Conclusion

Now think about how each piece of evidence relates to the two possible outcomes for climate change in Colorado.

Conclusion:

Write a news article informing the public of our class findings. The article should include:

Your original hypothesis regarding climate change in Colorado The data that we analyzed and a brief description of its relevance to climate change The class consensus on climate change in Colorado Why should the community care about this issue? What predictions can you make for

Colorado based on your conclusion?Or

Write an eyewitness report describing how the changes in the data have affected you or might affect you in the future. Include:

The data that we analyzed and a brief description of its relevance to climate change Why should the community care about this issue? The steps you might take to reduce your carbon footprint.

Snow Pack

Type of Precipitation

Yearly Precipitation

Average Yearly Temperature

Frequency of Forest Fires

Peak River Flow Date

Glaciers

Bird distribution

Climate Change is

occurring in Colorado

Climate Change is not occurring in

Colorado

Part 3: Future projections and Impacts in Colorado.What does the future look like in Colorado? What impacts will this have?

Goals:Students will analyze future projections of climate change in Colorado.Students will analyze the impacts of such changes on themselves and their families.

Hook: Now that you know how Colorado is changing, what do you predict the Front Range or the mountains will be likein 50-100 years? How will the change affect you? (Do a think pair share and have kids report out)

Mini Lesson Review changes that have occurred in ColoradoShow ppt with future projections (jigsaw with a share out or teacher directed instruction with a note catcher for students)Introduce project, including stakeholders

Practice Brainstorm how these changes might affect your stakeholder, pair-shareStudents begin research using guided note handout

Debrief Students share results with others with same topicTeacher checks research for accuracy

Resources for student research on future impacts Colorado water resources (including drought potential, decreased snowpack, time of snowmelt, flash increased runoff and flashfloods, mudslides)http://learnmoreaboutclimate.colorado.edu/blog/view/id/79/researchers-see-unusually-rapid-decline-in-water-source-for-western-riversDenver Post, January 6th 2011 (Big Winter Springs Concern)http://learnmoreaboutclimate.colorado.edu/blog/view/id/79/researchers-see-unusually-rapid-decline-in-water-source-for-western-rivers

p. 19 in Climate Change in Colorado report 2008 has a Boulder case study focused on water

www.globalchange.gov (southwest impacts)

Water supplies will become increasingly scarce, calling for trade-offs among competing uses, and potentially leading to conflict.

Increasing temperature, drought, wildfire, and invasive species will accelerate transformation of the landscape.

Increased frequency and altered timing of flooding will increase risks to people, ecosystems, and infrastructure.

Unique tourism and recreation opportunities are likely to suffer. Cities and agriculture face increasing risks from a changing climate.

Carbon negative feedback loop of dying trees (advanced)http://cires.colorado.edu/science/spheres/ecology/noHelpFromTrees.html

West Nile (historical maps of distribution of incidences)http://diseasemaps.usgs.gov/wnv_historical.htmlalso see ppt of change in West Nile over time

Lyme disease (increase in US)http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/stats/chartstables/casesbyyear.html

Pika: http://cires.colorado.edu/science/spheres/ecology/pikas.html

Pine Beetle: http://wwa.colorado.edu/ecology/beetle/mpb_symposiumApr2011.html

Beetle damage maps from the USDA Forest Service:http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPwhQoY6BdkOyoCAPkATlA!/?ss=110299&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=FSE_003853&navid=091000000000000&pnavid=null&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&ttype=main&pname=Rocky%20Mtn.%20Bark%20Beetle-%20Home

Climate Change and extremes images: http://www.cgd.ucar.edu/ccr/climate_change_gallery_test/(future projections on a national level, includes heat waves, temp, precip, warm nights, frost days and more)

This is a USGS portal for fire managementhttp://frames.nbii.gov/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=205&PageID=0&cached=true&mode=2

Bird reporthttp://web4.audubon.org/news/pressroom/bacc/pdfs/Birds%20and%20Climate%20Report.pdf

Impact on Climate Change CommunicationIntroduction: In Colorado temperatures have increased approximately 2 ®F between 1977 and 2006. Increasing temperatures will affect the state’s water resources. (Climate Change in Colorado Report, 2008) It is important that the future changes are communicated to others so that appropriate planning can occur and action be taken.

Task:Choose one of the impacts below to research. You may choose to present your information from the perspective of one of the stakeholders below or from your own perspective. Provides a clear and accurate description of climate change that is causing the impact (i.e. increasing temperature, decrease in snowpack). You must describe the current or potential future impact (either environmental, social, or economic) and include 1-2 strategies that would reduce the impact or 1-2 strategies that would allow people to live with the impact.

How will these changes impact: bird distribution disease vector distribution (West Nile, Hanta virus) Pika habitat (general shift of mountain habitat to higher elevation) Energy use Fishing Ski industry Water recreation (rafting, kayaking) Pine beetle infestation Pollen and allergies – need to find info on this

Stakeholders:Fish and Wildlife BiologistUS Forest Service RangerSki resort ownerRafting company ownerTrout fishermanHomeowner in town or in the mountainsStudent who likes to …FarmerLocal government officialBoulder WaterEnergy company

Impact:

Stakeholder perspective:

Climate change causing impact:

Impact (What will change?)

Who will it affect and how? Or How will it affect you?

Mitigation: (What can be done to reduce the impact?)

Adaptation (What can people do to live with the impact?)