1. Climate Change

2. What is Climate Change? Questions to Discuss: What is Climate Change?
Why does it matter? (or not?)
How are people affected?
What are some major events or areas of concern?
How are ecosystems affected?
Why care? (or not?)
What are some things you want to learn about / focus on?

3. Climate Change
Climate change is when long term weather patterns change.
Some climate change is natural, but scientists agree that humans are increasing climate change.
The Earth is getting warmer. Storms are stronger. Some places have more rain and some have less.

4. Climate Change
There is a layer of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas around the Earth. It is like a blanket keeping the Earth warm.
If there is too much CO2, the Earth will be too warm.
Humans are putting CO2 in the atmosphere because of cars, factories, cutting down forests, etc.

5. Climate Change
The CO2 in the atmosphere has increased a lot in the past 60 years. The temperature has increased too.

6. Climate Change Effects

7. “For” Arguments
Many scientists and others argue that Climate Change is real and that we need to act immediately.
Climate Change believers / activists get significant funding from governments for scientific organizations such as NASA.

8. “Against” Arguments
Some people argue that Climate Change is not real or that humans are not causing it.
Climate Change deniers have received funding from coal and oil companies, including ExxonMobil. 

9. “Against” Arguments Some argue that…
Climate change is not occurring  • The global climate is actually getting colder  • The global climate is getting warmer, but not because of humans  • The global climate is getting warmer, partly because of humans, but this has more benefits than costs  • The global climate is getting warmer, partly because of humans, but no major changes needed

10. The “For” Argument: Climate Change Effects
Sea ice and ice caps are melting.
The level of the ocean is rising – cities near the ocean will get flooded

11. Climate Change Effects
Changes to farming can be positive or negative – longer growing season in some places, too hot in some places, etc.
Some places will grow more food (blue) and some places will grow less food (red).

12. Climate Change Effects
The climate change in Canada’s North is happening more quickly. There will be less permafrost, more flooding, stronger storms, warmer ocean temperatures, and less sea ice.
People, cities, and animals will be affected.
Polar bears need sea ice.

13. How Trump Can Influence Climate Change
New York Times Article (note bias)
climate-change.html?_r=1

14. Pros and Cons arguments
Link:
Directions: Read the assigned Pros and Cons. Decide if the arguments are credible and which “side” you are on.

15. Time to Use Your Smartphones!
If you don’t have one, pair up with someone who does!
Check out the following sites / apps / games and let me know if they are useful:
Centre for Science Education: choose any game here! weather-climate-atmosphere
PBS Nova labs games: Energy
Google Earth Engine: Climate and Weather (search Google Earth Engine in Google)
Climate Quest (app)
Climate Pathways (app)