TOOL: Degrees of Change

Imagine what our world will look like in 2050. No matter what you picture, there’s no denying that climate change will have a big impact. With these resources, explore what a change in degrees could mean for our world by the year 2050.

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2050: DEGRESS OF CHANGE

2050: Degrees of Change is a podcast from CBC that explores what the province of British Columbia might look like in the year 2050. The podcast series is six episodes long and is hosted by CBC Vancouver Senior Meteorologist, Johanna Wagstaffe.

Called “the land of a billion micro climates*”, British Columbia will be deeply impacted by an increase in temperature due to climate change. At our current rate, it’s predicted that B.C.’s climate will change in just 30 years by a mear 2.5 degrees Celsius. It may seem small but that change in degrees could mean no snow, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, forest fires, mass migration, collapse of resource industries, and more.

Episodes can be downloaded from cbc.ca/podcasts or on the podcast app of your choice.

*micro climates are climatic conditions that exist within a relatively small areas above or below the Earth’s surface and within the canopies of vegetation. Complexities of microclimates are necessary for the existence of a variety of life forms. (source)

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LIVING WORLD and TO WHAT DEGREE?

Living World and To What Degree? are lesson plans from Ingenium that focus on the connections between biodiversity and the living world.

In Living World students will develop a better understanding of the factors that contribute to climate change and of the effects of climate change on biodiversity and the living world. Also addressed is the notion of adapting to climate change – both its existing effects and expected ones – to help maintain a health and balanced environment.

To What Degree? Telling Climate Change Stories Through Photos encourages students to think about climate change adaptation and mitigation through a variety of activities. The lesson plan comes in 4 parts including the following: adaption and prevention of climate change, examining impacts of climate change through photos, critical analysis and research of climate change impacts, and the creation of a photo exhibition.

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A 20-YEAR DIVE INTO CLIMATE CHANGE HISTORY

A 20-Year Dive Into Climate Change History invites educators and students to become investigative reporters and probe this question: “Is climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events?”

The lesson uses excerpts of interviews and reports from climate change experts over the last two decades to explore how climate change is effecting extreme weather events. Through various activities such as role playing, timelines, and categorization, students explore the topic throughout 1-2 hours. Included in the Educator’s Toolbox is a listening guide, interview notes organizer, unedited transcripts of climate interviews and climate change report excerpts.

This resource is available through Science Friday (SciFri), a source for entertaining and educational stories about science, technology, and other “cool stuff”. Along with lesson plans and educational resources, SciFri also records episodes on SoundCloud.

*Written by Keana Rellinger