Understanding climate change

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Topic 2 Evidence of climate change

Understanding climate change Module 1: What is climate change? Topic 2 Evidence of climate change

Self-Directed Learning Activity

ItemsItems
Activity Title/Topic:Basics of climate change
Duration of Activity:Planned for a total duration of 90 minutes
Learning Outcome:At the end of this activity, you should be able to identify the key-concepts related to climate change, understand the climate change evidences and the negative effects of human activities.
Materials Required:Mandatory: paper and writing material (alternatively, it can be done on a computer). Optional: coloured pencils/colouring pens.
Aim of Activity:Clarify the most important key-concepts related to climate change, present the processes and evidences of climate change, draw attention to the need of actions and the costs of inactions.

Step-by-step instructions:

Take a sheet of paper and write down the first 5-10 things that come to your mind about climate change in your region:

For example:

  • Extreme heat
  • Sea level rise
  • Changing weather
  • Food shortages
  • Human suffering
  • Strong wind
  • Heavy rainfall/flooding
  • Water scarcity/drought
  • Forest fires

Use a symbol to indicate how climate change may increase (+), decrease (-) or not significantly change (=) these risks in your region.

For example:

  • Extreme heat +
  • Sea level rise =
  • Changing weather +
  • Food shortages –
  • Human suffering +
  • Strong wind –
  • Heavy rainfall /flooding +
  • Water scarcity/drought +
  • Forest fires –

Identify the three factors that are currently the most dangerous in your region:

For example:

  • Extreme heat +
  • Sea level rise =
  • Changing weather +
  • Food shortages –
  • Human suffering +
  • Strong wind –
  • Heavy rainfall /flooding +
  • Water scarcity/drought +
  • Forest fires –

Calculate your ecological footprint using this ecological footprint calculators:

Once you have calculated your ecological footprint, write down some simple things that you can do to reduce it. Answering the following questions may help you to identify them:

  • What kind of food do you eat?
  • What kind of vehicle do you travel in most often?
  • What kind of house do you live in?

Write down a few simple tips for your friends and acquaintances to help them reduce their ecological footprint.

For example:

  • Add Energy-Saving Features to Your Home
  • Use Cleaner Transportation
  • Eat less meat.
  • Stop wasting food
  • Buy unpackaged foods
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