1. Biodiversity in a changing climate
Isabella Van de Velde
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

2. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Biodiversity in a changing climate
What is biodiversity?
variety of all life forms on earth
animals, plants, micro-organisms
their genes
ecosystems: terrestrial, marine, freshwater
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

3. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Biodiversity in a changing climate
What is climate change?
the long-term shift in weather patterns
in a specific region or globally
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

4. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Biodiversity in a changing climate
What do people really know about
causes of climate change
effects of global warming
impact on biodiversity
OK let’ see! ?
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

5. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Biodiversity in a changing climate
Climate knowledge survey Belgium
107 secondary schools students
81% of the students
cannot explain the green house effect
do not know which human activities contribute to global warming
Source: Aped-Ovds (2015). School, Energie, Klimaat. (Appel pour une école democratique - Oproep Voor een Democratische School).
FACTS
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

6. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Biodiversity in a changing climate
Trainee teachers survey Belgium
primary & secondary education – 6 HE schools
430 trainee teachers
only 1 out of 5 trainee teachers can explain the mechanism of green house effect
95% consider the hole in the ozon layer as causing global warming
Source: Boussemaere, P. (2016). De aarde warmt op door een gat in de lucht. Een onderzoek naar de klimaatkennis van de Vlaamse leerkracht in opleiding. VIVES hogeschool Brugge
FACTS
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

7. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Biodiversity in a changing climate
But
all the common misconceptions about climate change recorded in Belgium are also recorded abroad!
“Future generations of children need to understand how to mitigate and adapt to contingencies that are set to take place in the not too distant future” (IPCC, 2012)
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

8. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Biodiversity in a changing climate
Attitudes of Europeans towards biodiversity – Survey 2015
28 EU Member States – respondents
majority of Europeans have heard of the term biodiversity (60%)
30% know what it means
66% do not feel informed about biodiversity loss
Source: Special Eurobarometer 436 “Attitudes of Europeans towards biodiversity”. October 2015.
FACTS
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

9. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Biodiversity in a changing climate
Climate change and biodiversity
are one of the most serious challenges
that faces humanity
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

10. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Biodiversity in a changing climate
biodiversity
and its conservation
societal change
societal change achieved by environmental education
climate change should be taught starting from primary school
science educators must have the necessary competencies
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

11. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Biodiversity in a changing climate
What will BIOTALENT do?
increase knowledge and skills on biodiversity
inspire to engage in conserving Europe’s biodiversity
ignite a passion for science
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

12. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Biodiversity in a changing climate
How will BIOTALENT do it?
deliver a pilot multilingual blended e-learning course on biodiversity
Biodiversity in a changing climate: e-learn more
establish an open source virtual learning platform to deliver the e-content of the course
develop a blended learning model for adaptable modular training courses
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

13. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Biodiversity in a changing climate
Who is doing it?
funded by EC
ERASMUS+ programme
started on 01/09/2016
3 years project
5 partners in 4 EU countries
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

14. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Biodiversity in a changing climate
Target audience
biology teachers & trainee teachers in secondary education
educators in science museums, botanical gardens, science centres and environmental organisations
biologists, rangers and conservation managers at nature reserves, national parks and civil organisations
and open to anyone interested in the topic
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

15. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
Biodiversity in a changing climate
What makes BIOTALENT different?
a high quality blended e-learning programme
rely upon expertise, experience and resources brought by each Partner
offer learners unique transnational access to range of facilities and expertise present in the Partnership
use effective multimedia to deliver learning experiences that mirror real-world practices
develop matrix that can be used in wider sector of STEM
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels

16. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels
biotalent.myspecies.info
Any questions
Thank you for your attention
Isabella Van de Velde
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
EU Conference - 18 May 2017
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels