WC_Severe Weather & Humans Lesson
What does climate change have to do with weather? You might be surprised!
Check out this cool video below to see how a rise in global temperatures is linked to more extreme weather events.
So, why's our planet getting warmer? Climate change is about long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Sure, things like solar activity and volcanoes have their say, but since the 1800s, it's mostly us – humans. Burning fossil fuels like coal and oil sends greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the air, trapping the sun's heat and warming our planet.
Impact on Oceans:
Our oceans are feeling the heat too! These giant bodies of water are soaking up a lot of that extra warmth, and it's changing things underwater. Warmer oceans mean trouble for coral reefs and can even lead to higher sea levels. This means more flooding, especially in coastal areas. Plus, warmer oceans can make storms like hurricanes way more intense.
Changing Atmospheric Patterns:
Up in the sky, things are changing too. The warming planet is messing with jet streams – those fast-moving air currents way up high that shape our weather. As a result, we're seeing longer heatwaves, more intense cold spells, and even shifts in rainfall patterns. This can lead to more droughts in some places and floods in others.
It's clear we humans have a big part in this story. Our cars, factories, and even cutting down forests add those greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. This isn't just an environmental issue; it impacts our health, food, homes, and safety. And for some, like those living on small islands, the effects are even more direct and dangerous.
We might not stop climate change overnight, but we can prepare for its impacts. Let's talk about how.
Climate change is intensifying severe weather, including the warming of oceans and shifting atmospheric patterns, and discussed the human role in these changes. This lesson also emphasized the importance of community awareness, resilient infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and climate-resilient agriculture to effectively brace for and adapt to the increasing severity of weather events caused by climate change.
UP NEXT: Module Wrap-Up
[CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Links to an external site.] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION - INTENDED ONLY FOR USE WITHIN THE LESSON.