Get all the facts you need to know. The frequency and strength of storms is increasing, leaving destruction in their wake. It doesn’t sound like much, but scientists think that the temperature increase has caused melting glaciers, drought, and coral reef die-off. The Earth’s atmosphere is all around us and is the air that we breathe.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'konnecthq_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_13',110,'0','0'])); Some of this energy goes back into space, while a lot of it stays in the atmosphere because of the greenhouse gases, causing the Earth to warm up. Forests affect the weather worldwide by reducing temperature extremes and helping to regulate the climate. Weather changes day to day—sometimes it rains, other days it’s hot. The Short Answer: Climate change describes a change in the average conditions — such as temperature and rainfall — in a region over a long period of time. So as the mountain climate heats up, the pika climbs the slopes in search of cooler habitat. Reduce and reuse things as much as possible. Designed for use with a year 9 group studying climate change. They’ve also ruled out the natural factors that caused warming in the past. Fact 1 The term global warming refers to the long-term warming of the planet. Because disease-carrying mosquitoes thrive in warm, wet weather, more people could contract illnesses such as malaria as the Earth warms. NASA scientists have observed Earth’s surface is warming, and many of the warmest years on record have happened in the past 20 years. The American pika, for example, is a small mammal that lives in cool mountainous areas in western North America—in fact, it can die when exposed to temperatures warmer than 78˚F.So as the mountain climate heats up, the pika climbs the slopes in search of cooler habitat. These energy sources release a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Some are more dramatic than others: 800 to 600 million years ago, the Earth was so cold that it was covered with ice. When she was eight, she started learning about climate change. We hope that you now know all about Climate Change and what you can do to help. Learn how the Earth’s temperature is rising due to increased greenhouse gases. Human-caused climate change has caused an approximate temperature rise of 1 degree in the Earth's atmosphere - very rapidly. You can do a lot! The more fuels that are burnt, the more CO² is sent into the atmosphere. 2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Climate Change –any change in our climate including wind, precipitation (rain, snow, hail), temperature, winds, and other things. Below are 50 Mind-blowing Facts About Climate Change. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/science/climate-change.html. This is Global Warming. 5 | Climate change KS2 scheme of work. Climate change is the biggest threat we face. The carbon dioxide factor There are concerns that the Amazon region could become a net source rather than a sink (storage) of carbon dioxide (CO 2), a gas emitted mainly from burning fossil fuels, coal, oil and natural gas - and the major driver for global climate change. On the other hand, climate change covers both global warming and its effects. [7] Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. When lots of ice melts it becomes water and then goes into streams, rivers, lakes, and seas. Instead of traveling in a car, use public transportation, walk, or ride your bike when you can. Rainforests and climate Rainforests are weather makers and climate regulators. Fact 1: The global temperature on an average has increased by 0.6 to 1 degree Celsius till the 20 th century. A polar bear stands on the shore of the Hudson Bay in North America. Factories emit lots of carbon dioxide when making new products. [8] How do they know? Without the sea ice, the polar bear must scavenge for other, less nutritious food. That’s why many scientists agree that the Earth is now warming because of human activity. Climate change The climate across the world has changed naturally over thousands and millions of years. Our Earth is surrounded by an atmosphere made up of gases. But this isn’t just affecting polar bears—climate change affects everyone. That increases Earth’s temperature, which contributes to the planet’s warming. The big meeting in Paris and the historic agreement however is about climate change caused by human activity. Fix your appliances and clothes instead of buying new products. NASA data show that average global temperatures in 2019 were 1.8 degrees F (0.98 degrees C) warmer than the 20th century average. But there’s another thing that adds to Global Warming, and that is the fact that there are fewer forests all over the world which means that there are fewer trees absorbing carbon, so that’s also going into the atmosphere. The planet's average surface temperature has risen about 2.05 degrees Fahrenheit (1.14 degrees Celsius) since the late 19th century, a change driven largely by increased carbon dioxide and other human-made emissions into the atmosphere. It would be one very chilly place. 1. The term climate change encompasses global warming, but refers to the broader range of changes that are happening to our planet. What could happen? This could cause floods. This means that our water levels are rising. Hundreds of plant and animal species have already experienced changes because of climate change. Arctic and Antarctic ice is melting, leading to rising sea levels. They expect the climate will warm another .5°F to 8.6°F by the year 2100. Send a letter or drawing to your mayor, Senate or House representative, or even to the president. Sunlight comes shining through the atmosphere as it passes through a blanket of all the greenhouse gases. Climate change encompasses not only rising average temperatures but also extreme weather events, shifting wildlife populations and habitats, rising seas, and a range of other impacts. The Arctic is warming roughly twice as fast as the rest of the world, causing sea ice to melt earlier and form later each year. Global Warming – any changes in temperature across the Earth. This gas traps heat that would otherwise escape Earth’s atmosphere. Eat less meat and dairy. This could cause problems for us, plants, and animals.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'konnecthq_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_14',111,'0','0'])); Today we’ve got loads of different industries, with things like cars, planes, and engines being produced in millions every year. Climate change is the biggest threat faced by polar bears. And of course, these are getting trapped in the atmosphere and making the Earth’s surface warmer. © shaunl. Each and every one of us can make a difference, and here are some things you can do to help! So each time your parents drive their car or you turn on an electrical appliance, you are adding more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Often there will be droughts followed by huge amounts rain, which makes it very difficult to grow tea. Lesson objectives, starter task and final task included to fully make use of the worksheet provided. Biking or walking 10 miles each day instead of riding in a car can save up to 1.9 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere every year. These are the exciting careers of the future. Climate Change can be difficult for plants and animals, for example where polar bears and penguins live in icy conditions and those ice sheets start to melt, they’ll have nowhere to live. But Climate Change: The Facts is a rousing call to arms. Without it, our planet would be very cold, like Mars. Climate is the pattern of the weather conditions over a long period of time for a large area. All the artificial things that make us comfortable at home, like computers, irons, kettles, or microwaves are producing more greenhouse gases than ever before. We can tackle it and we are. 2019 was the second warmest year on record. Climate Change The earth's climate has seen many changes in its 4.55 billion years. Go by bus, and get the whole family to do the same, Get your bike out and go cycling instead of getting in the car. Other effects include heat waves and increased desertification, which brings flooding and smaller harvests. Every 40,000 years, the Earth changes positions and this cause climate change. Photograph by Cindy Creighton, Shutterstock. As humans, we are producing more waste than ever before. Learn more about climate change and long term weather patterns on BBC Bitesize. Is climate change happening? Try some of these tips to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide you add to the atmosphere. 1) Greta Thunberg is an environmental activist. 4 Tweet this fact ». Talk to your parents and the other adults that you know about climate change. If future generations are to make an impact on global warming and fight back against climate change, it's vital for children to learn the importance of forests, the role they play in shaping the environment, and the impact of deforestation. Interesting Facts about Climate Change. Wicked Weather Watch has also produced this KS2 scheme of work, which can be used as a complete resource over six (or more) weeks, or individual activities within it can be used on their own, or to support teaching other themes or subjects. A teacher answer sheet is provided and there is an optional extension exam task. The more she learned, the more baffled she became as to why so little was being done about it. Climate change affects more than temperature. Something self-explanatory from global warming facts, but still important for all that. For example, there are places that were really, really cold and now they’re getting warmer, and on the other hand, there are places that are really hot and they’re getting colder. But climate change also presents an opportunity to change the way we live so we improve things for us and the planet. It is an alarm clock set at a horrifying volume. Earth’s climate has always naturally cycled through change, caused by how much of the sun’s energy was absorbed by the atmosphere. A polar bear walks along a rocky shore, looking for food. (Coral can’t survive in water that’s too warm.) Some animals who are losing their habitats due to climate change are polar bears, green sea turtles and coral reefs. First, gauge what your kids may already know. These changes in polar sea ice are a result of climate change. Farm animals, er. Greenhouse effect – sometimes people build greenhouses, which is a small glasshouse to grow flowers or trees. 3 In fact, the five warmest years in the 1880–2019 record have all occurred since 2015. If we don’t tackle it the consequences are grim. Here’s an example for you to think about. This warming is called Global Warming and is caused by the greenhouse effect we’ve just described. It could save your family about $200 a year on its energy bill. Warmer water changes the patterns of ocean currents, affecting global weather patterns. They build them to keep that hot sun in there and not escape. Through careful study, they know that the climate is warming about 10 times faster than the average previous warming times. There are a couple of words that you need to understand first so that we can explain climate change to you better. Wash your clothes in cold water, and hang them to dry. Here, in an effort to set the record straight, are five facts about climate change everyone needs to know. Fact 2: The United States constitutes 5% of the world population and contributes to 22% of the world’s carbon emission. The bear would usually be on the sea ice hunting for seals, pouncing when the seal comes up to breathe. Climate change happens all of the time and is natural; weather and climate are almost never the same so there are always slight changes in climate. When the sun heats the earth, these gases make sure that the heat is kept on the surface of the Earth.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'konnecthq_com-leader-1','ezslot_10',109,'0','0'])); Without these gases, the heat would escape back into space and our temperatures down here would be about 16⁰C colder. In Kenya, climate change is making rainfall patterns less and less predictable. In particular, according to the scientific reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the sharp increase in global warming since 1950 can no longer be explained by natural climate … Good thing holey jeans are back in style! But what happens when temperatures at the top become too warm for the pika? 4 Most of the warming occurred in the past 40 years, with the six warmest years on record taking place since 2014. . All this waste produces smoke, fumes, and water vapor. Although changes to the earth's climate are natural, current changes are a result of increasing human populations and activities. In fact over the past 650,000 years, the Earth has gone through seven ice ages and warming periods. Buy locally grown and in-season foods and products to reduce emissions from transporting products. Greenhouse effect – sometimes people build greenhouses, which is a small glasshouse to grow flowers or trees. There is a lot of buzz around climate change—let’s look at the facts to better understand one of the greatest challenges of our time. Your everyday actions affect people, plants, and animals all over the world—including polar bears! Climate change has caused an increase in the temperatures of polar climates, which has resulted in more ice melting there. Designed for use with a year 9 group studying climate change. This is making a big impact on Global Warming and Climate Change. Hundreds of plant and animal species have already experienced changes because of climate change. Between 1901 and 2012, apparently, the Earth’s temperature has risen by 0.89⁰.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'konnecthq_com-box-4','ezslot_9',106,'0','0'])); The amount of rainfall has risen in certain parts of the northern hemisphere since the beginning of the 20th Century. Wear a warm sweater at home in the winter instead of turning up the heat, and open your windows instead of blasting the air conditioning in the summer. Have you heard about climate change or even global warming?eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'konnecthq_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_6',102,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'konnecthq_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_7',102,'0','1'])); Well we’re going to make it easy for you to understand exactly what climate change is. Can also be used as a stand alone homework task. Some places will receive more rainfall, which could lead to flooding, while other places will get less, which might mean drought. A planned lesson on PowerPoint with a question and answer worksheet to accompany BBC documentary series Climate Change - The Facts. "The pattern of winter warming following the volcanic eruption is practically identical to a pattern of winter surface temperature change caused by global warming. You can use this information in projects, or just become clued up on what climate change is all about!eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'konnecthq_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_8',104,'0','0'])); There have been loads of rumblings about how our climate is changing, with scientists warning us all the time that these changes are happening right now, and they’re harming living and non-living things on Earth. But the ice has started to melt earlier and re-form later than it has in the past. Many of … They range from designing satellites for NASA to fixing wind-energy generators to planning drought-tolerant landscapes for homes and parks. Climate change is real and man-made, and there is overwhelming scientific consensus that this is true. The Earth is like a glasshouse, with some important gases that keep us warm like water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane. Question and answer worksheet to accompany BBC documentary series Climate Change - The Facts. The effects of climate change are everywhere. All rights reserved. Global Warming causes land and water to expand because of the heat, and it also causes ice sheets to melt. And climate can be affected by Earth’s atmosphere. Sir David Attenborough is returning to BBC One presenting a documentary called Climate Change - The Facts. We need lots of trees, so plant them whenever you can. Climate Change –any change in our climate including wind, precipitation (rain, snow, hail), temperature, winds, and other things.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'konnecthq_com-banner-1','ezslot_12',108,'0','0'])); Global Warming – any changes in temperature across the Earth. Sunlight Differences in Polar Climates. The American pika, for example, is a small mammal that lives in cool mountainous areas in western North America—in fact, it can die when exposed to temperatures warmer than 78˚F. So be cool by doing your best to keep Earth well … cool! This includes rising sea levels and changes in established weather systems. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'konnecthq_com-medrectangle-1','ezslot_11',107,'0','0']));report this adIt is also believed that sea levels have gone up by about 19cm across the entire world with lots of icy glaciers melting. You can help to solve climate change problems and challenges. Climate change is linked to plants and animals becoming endangered and becoming extinct. Once it’s absorbed, then the energy goes all the way back into the atmosphere as something called infra-red rays. © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- As it reaches us on Earth, the land and the water absorb the sunlight’s energy. They build them to keep that hot sun in there and not escape. Our weather can be more extreme where we could have more droughts, or vicious storms and heavy rain. But, if the greenhouse effect becomes super strong, it could make the Earth warmer. Forests in tropical and temperate regions have a cooling effect, whereas boreal forests found in high northern latitudes make their climate warmer. 1) Climate change never took a break. Tropical storms could be stronger, and a continuing rise in sea level due to melting polar ice might push people out of their homes. It’s simple to make a difference to keep the Earth healthy. When sunlight enters our atmosphere, some of the sun’s heat is trapped by the gas, and some bounces back out into space. When confronted with inaccurate information, the best way to respond is with facts — so keep these seven climate change facts in mind. For example, 18,000 years ago most of Britain was covered in ice and glaciers. Environmental conditions can affect the flavour and quality plus it needs a very specific rainfall to grow. These leaders can vote to regulate and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Also, there are loads of artificial things being made that end up in waste dumps. Teaching the Basics to School-Age Kids (Ages 6–12) Explain the science, simply. By trapping that heat, our atmosphere keeps Earth warm enough to live on. But during the past few hundred years, oil, gas, and coal have powered homes, cars, and factories. It shows that volcanic aerosols force fundamental climate mechanisms that play an important role in the global change process." FOREST FACTS FOR KIDS. The average global surface temperature has already increased by 1.04°C in the last 130 years. Over millions of years, and up to the present time, our climate continues to go through shifts. In the past, the UK has experienced both freezing ice ages and warm tropical climates. CLIMATE-CHANGE FACTS FACT: Carbon dioxide, a byproduct of fossil-fuel combustion, is a greenhouse gas, which traps solar radiation in the atmosphere. Almost everything we have needs power and this power comes from burning fossil fuels and other natural sources. The Earth’s average temperature has increased about 1.5°F in the past hundred years. Since 1870, global sea levels have risen by about 8 inches. Some people don’t believe this is caused by us humans, but let’s get some of the facts together and you can see what you think. She was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2003. (Buying products that are made with recycled glass and plastic also emits carbon dioxide, though less so.) The greenhouse effect is really important, as without it we wouldn’t be able to live on Earth as it wouldn’t be warm enough. Water to expand because of climate change is making a big impact on global warming and its.... Still important for all that animals becoming endangered and becoming extinct rains, other days it’s.! Forests affect the weather worldwide by reducing temperature extremes and helping to regulate the climate will warm.5°F! 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