Climate Change Education Across the Curricula, Across the Globe

Climate Change Education Across the Curricula

Category: Biological Sciences

E-Learning Course: Climate Change- A Guide For Teachers Of All Disciplines

Posted by on in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Humanities, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, Social Sciences

Two E-learning courses (MOOCs) developed by Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune on Climate Change: Science, Impacts, and Policy and Teaching Climate Change. These courses were developed through the National Resource Centre (NRC) on Climate Change at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune as part of the Annual Refresher Programme in Teaching (ARPIT), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India. 

The courses include lectures on the current understanding of climate science and climate change, societal impacts of climate change, climate change policies and governance, and impacts of climate change. Additionally, the course includes lectures on how teachers of all disciplines can incorporate climate change in their everyday teaching.

The online course video playlist includes:

  1. Introduction to Climate Science (Raghu Murtugudde, University of Maryland)
  2. Climate Archives, Climate Data, and Climate Models (Raghu Murtugudde, University of Maryland)
  3. Climate Change: Past Records: Climate Change on Tectonic Timescales, Orbital Timescales, Glacial/Deglacial Timescales, Millennial Timescales, Historical Timescales (Raghu Murtugudde, University of Maryland)
  4. Modern Climate Change: Global Warming since the Industrial Revolution (Raghu Murtugudde)
  5. Future Projections of Climate Change (Raghu Murtugudde, University of Maryland)
  6. Mitigation and Adaptation (Raghu Murtugudde, University of Maryland and Malti Goel, Climate Change Research Institute)
  7. Climate Change and Society: Culture, Politics, Social Dynamics (D. Parthasarathy, IIT Bombay)
  8. Climate Change Policy and Governance: Global Negotiations and Domestic Policy Making (Navroz Dubash, Centre for Policy Research)
  9. Climate Change: Impacts in India (Raghu Murtugudde, University of Maryland)
  10. Climate Change and Impacts on
    1. The Indian Monsoon (Raghu Murtugudde, University of Maryland)
    2. Water Resources (Pradeep Mujumdar, IISc Bengaluru)
    3. Biodiversity and Ecology (Deepak Barua, IISER Pune)
    4. The Himalayan Glaciers (Argha Banerjee, IISER Pune)
  11. Teaching Resources and Pedagogical Tools (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  12. Teaching Climate Change in the Chemistry Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  13. Teaching Climate Change in the Biology Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  14. Teaching Climate Change in the Physics Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  15. Teaching Climate Change in the Math and Statistics Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  16. Teaching Climate Change in the Economics Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  17. Teaching Climate Change in the Environmental Sciences Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  18. Teaching Climate Change in the Geography Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  19. Teaching Climate Change in the Social Sciences Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  20. Teaching Climate Change in the Humanities Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 

About the Tool 

Tool NameClimate Change: A Guide For Teachers Of All Disciplines 
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Physics, Mathematics and Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Humanities
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Introduction to Climate Change; Climate Literacy
Type of tool E-learning Course
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed byRahul Chopra (TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) for the National Resource Centre (NRC) on Climate Change at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune as part of the Annual Refresher Programme in Teaching (ARPIT), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India
Hosted atIISER Pune Science Media Center YouTube Channel
LinkCourse 1: Climate Change: Science, Impacts, and Policy:- Link
Course 2: Climate Change: A Guide For Teachers Of All Disciplines:- Link
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Teaching Module: Teach Climate Science with the Teacher Friendly Guide To Climate Change™

Posted by on in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Humanities, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, Social Sciences

A teaching module of resources and activities that accompanies ‘The Teacher-Friendly Guide™ to Climate Change’

edited by Ingrid H. H. Zabel, Don Duggan-Haas, & Robert M. Ross,the Paleontological Research Institution. This teaching module includes videos and classroom/laboratory activities on the following topics

  1. Climate Science
    1. Energy and Atmosphere
      1. Infrared energy
      2. Infrared absorption by carbon dioxide
      3. Carbon dioxide and temperature
      4. Box Model: steady state vs. non-steady state behavior
      5. Heat capacity
      6. Thermal expansion of water
    2. Carbon Cycle
      1. Diurnal variations in carbon dioxide
      2. How many molecules make a trace gas?
      3. NOAA Mauna Loa data and rate of CO2 increase
      4. Respiration
    3. Hydrologic Cycle
      1. Rainfall and river response
  1. Climate Change Mitigation
    1. Renewable Energy
      1. Solar energy
      2. Near-surface geothermal energy
      3. Wind energy
    2. Carbon Sequestration
      1. Afforestation and Reforestation: tree biomass & carbon dioxide storage
  1. Communication and Advocacy
    1. Citizen science

About the Tool 

Tool NameTeach Climate Science The Teacher Friendly Guide To Climate Change
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Physics, Mathematics and Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Humanities
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Introduction to Climate Change; Climate Literacy
Type of tool Teaching Module
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed byIngrid H. H. Zabel, Don Duggan-Haas, & Robert M. Ross
Hosted atPaleontological Research Institution
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Climate Change- The Teacher Friendly Guide™

Posted by on in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Humanities, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, Social Sciences

A reading titled ‘The Teacher Friendly Guide to Climate Change’ edited by Ingrid H. H. Zabel, Don Duggan-Haas, & Robert M. Ross,the Paleontological Research Institution. This book includes the following chapters

  1. Why Teach About Climate Change? by Don Duggan-Haas
    1. Why Teaching About Climate Change Matters
    2. Science Learning, Its Application, and Politics
    3. We All Have Biases
    4. Systems and Scales
    5. Love and Beauty Will Persist
    6. Resources
  2. What Should Everyone Understand About Climate Change and Energy? by Don Duggan-Haas
    1. What Do You Think?
    2. Collecting Expert Opinions
    3. Consensus Documents
    4. Striving for a Coherent Conceptual Framework
    5. Resources
  3. What is Climate? by Ingrid H. H. Zabel and Others
    1. Climate is a System
    2. Measuring Climate
    3. Greenhouse Gases and Global Temperature
    4. Natural Causes of Climate Change
    5. Summary
    6. Resources
  4. Climate Change Through Earth History by Robert M. Ross and Others
    1. Why Past Climate Change Matters
    2. Observing Climate Through Time in the Rock Record
    3. History of the Earth’s Climate
    4. Climate Analogs and Models
    5. Resources
  5. Evidence For and Causes of Recent Climate Change by Ingrid H. H. Zabel and Others
    1. Changing Temperatures and Carbon Dioxide
    2. Shrinking Ice Sheets and Glaciers
    3. Changing Sea Ice Extent
    4. Thawing Permafrost
    5. Rising Sea Level
    6. Causes of Recent Climate Change
    7. What are the Likely Effects of Climate Change Going to Be?
    8. Resources
  6. 6. US Regional Climates, Current and Future by Ingrid H. H. Zabel and Benjamin Brown-Steiner
    1. Describing Climates
    2. Northeast
    3. Southeast
    4. Midwest
    5. South Central
    6. Northwest Central
    7. Southwest
    8. West
    9. Hawaii
    10. Alaska
    11. Resources
  7. Climate Change Mitigation by Ingrid H. H. Zabel
    1. What is Mitigation?
    2. Mitigation Strategies
    3. Summary
    4. Resources
  8. Geoengineering by Ingrid H. H. Zabel
    1. Counteracting Climate Change
    2. Examples of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Techniques
    3. Examples of Solar Radiation Management (SRM) Techniques
    4. Geoengineering Choices
    5. Resources
  9. Climate Change Adaptation by Ingrid H. H. Zabel
    1. How Much Does Adaptation Cost?
    2. Types of Adaptation Strategies
    3. Adatation to Different Climate Hazards
    4. Equity and Social Justice Considerations
    5. Resources
  10. Obstacles to Addressing Climate Change by Don Duggan-Haas
    1. Controversial Issues and Complex Systems
    2. Creating Meaningful Dialog
    3. Factors That Influence How We think
    4. How Do People Change Their Minds?
    5. How Can We Envision New Systems?
    6. Resources
  11. Perspective by Don Duggan-Haas
    1. Apocalyptic Tales of Climate Change
    2. Use of Language and Perspective in Teaching Climate Change
    3. Hope and Optimism
    4. Apocalyptic Prophesies Versus Predictions of Climate Change 
    5. Reality Check: A Personal Perspective 
    6. Science Teaching Toward a Sustainable World 
    7. Resources

About the Tool 

Tool NameThe Teacher Friendly Guide To Climate Change
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Physics, Mathematics and Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Humanities
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Introduction to Climate Change; Climate Literacy
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed byIngrid H. H. Zabel, Don Duggan-Haas, & Robert M. Ross
Hosted atPaleontological Research Institution
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Climate Change in the Life Sciences Classroom

Posted by on in Biological Sciences

An article by Amy J. Hawkins and Louisa A. Stark titled ‘Bringing Climate Change into the Life Science Classroom: Essentials, Impacts on Life, and Addressing Misconceptions’ in the American Society for Cell Biology journal Life Sciences Education. This reading discusses how climate change can be taught in the Life Sciences classroom. It provides an overview of educational resources that teachers in the Biological Sciences and Life Sciences could use to teach topics in their discipline that are linked to climate change. 

Students will understand the link between climate change and the Life Sciences. They will also learn about impacts of climate change on the biosphere and its role in the Earth’s climate system.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How can climate change be taught in the Life Sciences?
  2. What are the impacts of climate change on the biosphere?

About the Tool 

Tool NameBringing Climate Change into the Life Science Classroom: Essentials, Impacts on Life, and Addressing Misconceptions
DisciplineBiological Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Climate and the Biosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byAmy J. Hawkins & Louisa A. Stark
Hosted atCBE Life Sciences Education
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Climate Change and Ecosystems

Posted by on in Biological Sciences
  • A journal volume compiled and edited by Janet Franklin, Yadvinder Malhi, Nathalie Seddon, Martin Solan, Chris Field, Nancy Knowlton and Monica Turner titled ‘Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions’ at the ‘Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, Biological Sciences’ that discusses the link between climate change and ecosystems. This volume includes the following articles:-
    1. Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions (Yadvinder Malhi, Janet Franklin, Nathalie Seddon, Martin Solan, Monica G. Turner, Christopher B. Field and Nancy Knowlton)
    2. Climate change, ecosystems and abrupt change: science priorities (Monica G. Turner, W. John Calder, Graeme S. Cumming, Terry P. Hughes, Anke Jentsch, Shannon L. LaDeau, Timothy M. Lenton, Bryan N. Shuman, Merritt R. Turetsky, Zak Ratajczak, John W. Williams, A. Park Williams and Stephen R. Carpenter)
    3. Soil microbial community responses to climate extremes: resistance, resilience and transitions to alternative states (Richard D. Bardgett and Tancredi Caruso)
    4. If the trees burn, is the forest lost? Past dynamics in temperate forests help inform management strategies (Virginia Iglesias and Cathy Whitlock)
    5. Comparing the impact of future cropland expansion on global biodiversity and carbon storage across models and scenarios (Amy Molotoks, Roslyn Henry, Elke Stehfest, Jonathan Doelman, Petr Havlik, Tamás Krisztin, Peter Alexander, Terence P. Dawson and Pete Smith)
    6. Plant community diversity will decline more than increase under climatic warming (Susan Harrison)
    7. The development of Anthropocene biotas (Chris D. Thomas)
    8. Climatic and local stressor interactions threaten tropical forests and coral reefs (Filipe M. França, Cassandra E. Benkwitt, Guadalupe Peralta, James P. W. Robinson, Nicholas A. J. Graham, Jason M. Tylianakis, Erika Berenguer, Alexander C. Lees, Joice Ferreira, Júlio Louzada and Jos Barlow)
    9. Benthic-based contributions to climate change mitigation and adaptation (Martin Solan, Elena M. Bennett, Peter J. Mumby, Julian Leyland and Jasmin A. Godbold)
    10. Climate change mitigation and nature conservation both require higher protected area targets (Callum M. Roberts, Bethan C. O’Leary and Julie P. Hawkins)
    11. Planning for climate change through additions to a national protected area network: implications for cost and configuration (Joshua J. Lawler, D. Scott Rinnan, Julia L. Michalak, John C. Withey, Christopher R. Randels and Hugh P. Possingham)
    12. Understanding the value and limits of nature-based solutions to climate change and other global challenges (Nathalie Seddon, Alexandre Chausson, Pam Berry, Cécile A. J. Girardin, Alison Smith and Beth Turner)
    13. Mapping co-benefits for carbon storage and biodiversity to inform conservation policy and action (C. Soto-Navarro, C. Ravilious, A. Arnell, X. de Lamo, M. Harfoot, S. L. L. Hill, O. R. Wearn, M. Santoro, A. Bouvet, S. Mermoz, T. Le Toan, J. Xia, S. Liu, W. Yuan, S. A. Spawn, H. K. Gibbs, S. Ferrier, T. Harwood, R. Alkemade, A. M. Schipper, G. Schmidt-Traub, B. Strassburg, L. Miles, N. D. Burgess and V. Kapos)
    14. Co-producing ecosystem services for adapting to climate change (Sandra Lavorel, Bruno Locatelli, Matthew J. Colloff and Enora Bruley)
    15. National mitigation potential from natural climate solutions in the tropics (Bronson W. Griscom, Jonah Busch, Susan C. Cook-Patton, Peter W. Ellis, Jason Funk, Sara M. Leavitt, Guy Lomax, Will R. Turner, Melissa Chapman, Jens Engelmann, Noel P. Gurwick, Emily Landis, Deborah Lawrence, Yadvinder Malhi, Lisa Schindler Murray, Diego Navarrete, Stephanie Roe, Sabrina Scull, Pete Smith, Charlotte Streck, Wayne S. Walker and Thomas Worthington)
    16. Nature-based approaches to managing climate change impacts in cities (Sarah E. Hobbie and Nancy B. Grimm)
    17. Trophic rewilding presents regionally specific opportunities for mitigating climate change (Christopher J. Sandom, Owen Middleton, Erick Lundgren, John Rowan, Simon D. Schowanek, Jens-Christian Svenning and Søren Faurby)
    18. Pleistocene Arctic megafaunal ecological engineering as a natural climate solution? (Marc Macias-Fauria, Paul Jepson, Nikita Zimov and Yadvinder Malhi)
    19. Harnessing employment-based social assistance programmes to scale up nature-based climate action (Andrew Norton, Nathalie Seddon, Arun Agrawal, Clare Shakya, Nanki Kaur and Ina Porras)
    20. Tipping positive change (Timothy M. Lenton)

Students will learn the effects of climate change on ecosystems. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How does climate change affect the biosphere?
  2. What is the impact of climate change on ecosystems?

About the Tool 

Tool Name‘Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions’
DisciplineBiological Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview, Ecosystems
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Climate and the Biosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelUndergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byEditor in Chief John Pickett; Edited By Janet Franklin, Yadvinder Malhi, Nathalie Seddon, Martin Solan, Chris Field, Nancy Knowlton and Monica Turner
Hosted atThe Royal Society Publishing
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Pandemics in a Changing World

Posted by on in Biological Sciences

A reading that describes the relationship between climate change and the occurrence of newly emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19. This reading by Daisy Dunne for Climate Brief discusses the rise in zoonotic diseases due to changes in habitats and closer interactions of humans and wild animals. It further highlights how these interactions are exacerbated by land-use changes such as deforestation and habitat loss.

Students will learn how climate change induced changes to biodiversity and habitat could lead to transmission of viruses from animals to humans. They will further understand how and why pandemics could develop when climate change affects the biogeographical distribution of species. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Why is there a possibility of increased incidence of newly emerging viruses in recent times?
  2. How could climate change increase the risk of inter-species virus spillover in the future?
  3. Discuss some of the factors necessary for the transmission of diseases from animals to humans. 

About the tool

Tool NameQ & A: Could climate change and biodiversity loss raise the risk of pandemics?
DisciplineBiological Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineInfectious Diseases, Disease Transmission, Virus, Zoonosis, Virus Spillover, Biodiversity, Habitat Loss
Climate Topic Climate and the Biosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byDaisy Dunne , Carbon Brief
Hosted atCarbon Brief Website
Linkhttps://www.carbonbrief.org/q-and-a-could-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-raise-the-risk-of-pandemics
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Species extinction due to climate change

Posted by on in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences

A review article on the proximate causes of climate change related species extinction. This article by Cahill et al in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B contains various case studies on direct and indirect effects of climate change that cause species extinction. These include habitat loss, change in biodiversity of the region and changes in species interaction.

Students will learn to assess the possible climatic factors responsible for the extinction of these species. They will also learn what are direct and indirect effects of climatic variations on the survival of a species. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What causes species extinction?
  2. What are the possible climatic factors responsible for the extinction of species? 
  3. Discuss a case study from the reading of how climate change can cause species extinction.

About the tool

Tool NameHow does climate change cause extinction?
DisciplineBiological Sciences, Environmental Sciences
Topic(s) in Discipline Biodiversity, Conservation, Species Extinction, Endemic Species, Vulnerability of Species,
Susceptibility of Species, Habitat Loss, Endangered Species, Threatened Species
Climate Topic Climate and the Biosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation–
Developed byAbigail E. Cahill, Matthew E. Aiello-Lammens, M. Caitlin Fisher-Reid, Xia Hua,
Caitlin J. Karanewsky, Hae Yeong Ryu, Gena C. Sbeglia, Fabrizio Spagnolo, John B. Waldron, Omar Warsi and John J. Wiens 
Hosted atProceedings of the Royal Society B (Biological Sciences)
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Videos: Earth’s Climate, the Biosphere, and Geological Evolution

Posted by on in Biological Sciences, Earth Sciences

A series of micro-lectures (videos) for an overview of the relationships between the Earth’s climate, the biosphere, and the lithosphere.

Climate Science Education Series

A collection of micro-lectures  by Raghu Murtugudde, Professor, University of Maryland, USA.

Developed by Science Media Center, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India

This Series consists of the following video lecture:

  1. Structure of the Earth
  2. Introduction to the Geo-Biosphere
  3. Plate Tectonics, Plate Movement and Plate Reconstruction
  4. Movement of the Indian Plate, Climate Change and Biological Response
  5. Geologic Timescales
  6. Tree of Life
  7. Allometric and Isometric Scaling
  8. Effect of Climate on Biology: Allopatric Speciation
  9. Evolution of Plants, Flowers and Seeds
  10. Life and the Evolution of Earth’s Atmosphere
  11. Climate Impacts on Leaf Morphology
  12. Plant Response to Climate Change
  13. Environmental Variability and Biodiversity
  14. Environmental Variability and Distribution of Species
  15. Climate, The Earth’s Atmosphere & The Biosphere
  16. Human Origins, Human Evolution and Climate
  17. Human Migration and Species Extinction
  18. Human Induced Change and Effect on Species
  19. Climate and Sex Selection

Students will learn about topics such as plate tectonics, formation of mountains, climate and biological evolution. They will also be introduced to how plant responses to changes in atmospheric CO2, what determines the distribution of species on planet Earth, and how humans are affecting climate, and how climate influences human evolution.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. Are humans changing climate to such an extent that species cannot adapt?
  2. How have the Himalayas influenced climate and affected vegetation?
  3. What is the impact of mean temperature on leaf morphology?
  4. How does climate change affect competition between C3 and C4 plants?
  5. How does human migration affect species distribution?
Structure of the Earth
Geologic Timescales
Evolution of Plants, Flowers and Seeds
Environmental Variability and Biodiversity
Human Migration and Species Extinction
Introduction to the Geo-Biosphere
Tree of Life
Life and the Evolution of Earth’s Atmosphere
Environmental Variability and Distribution of Species
Human Induced Change and Effect on Species
Plate Tectonics, Plate Movement and Plate Reconstruction
Allometric and Isometric Scaling
Climate Impacts on Leaf Morphology
Climate, The Earth’s Atmosphere & The Biosphere
Climate and Sex Selection
Movement of the Indian Plate, Climate Change and Biological Response
Effect of Climate on Biology: Allopatric Speciation
Plant Response to Climate Change
Human Origins, Human Evolution and Climate

About the Tool:-

Tool NameEarth’s Climate, the Biosphere, and Geological Evolution
DisciplineBiological Sciences, Earth Sciences 
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate TopicClimate and the Biosphere; Climate Literacy
Type of ToolVideo/Microlectures
Grade LevelUndergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed byRaghu Murtugudde for TROP ICSU
Hosted atYouTube Channel of the Science Media Center, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India
LinkStructure of the Earth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV7KPVUSNb0 

Introduction to the Geo-Biosphere
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EKTPqjQHo4 

Plate Tectonics, Plate Movement and Plate Reconstruction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrBWmeJIBVk 

Movement of the Indian Plate, Climate Change and Biological Response
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3agnBrKcqAE 

Geologic Timescales
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlC5K1naXDc 

Tree of Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfFukoR7074 

Allometric and Isometric Scaling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JePQNb7jVlY 

Effect of Climate on Biology: Allopatric Speciation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rleizWoYnR4 

Evolution of Plants, Flowers and Seeds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T5qeOJ0_-M 

Life and the Evolution of Earth’s Atmosphere
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifLcT5YJLnk 

Climate Impacts on Leaf Morphology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN71YgzqYdw 

Plant Response to Climate Change
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ti09qMaLZU 

Environmental Variability and Biodiversity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb6BSY6paEI 

Environmental Variability and Distribution of Species
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc8L-y4eO1Y 

Climate, The Earth’s Atmosphere & The Biosphere
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuK9k-xGxJM 

Human Origins, Human Evolution and Climate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dTqZCUXrqo 

Human Migration and Species Extinction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucFPpeKM7bc&feature=youtu.be 

Human Induced Change and Effect on Species
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMsseu9jRP4 

Climate and Sex Selection
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcLLVKl1vps
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Infectious Diseases In A Warming World

Posted by on in Biological Sciences

A reading that explains the role of climate change in the spread of infectious diseases. This reading by the World Health Organization describes the various modes of transmission of viral diseases in humans, in animals, and between animals and humans. It further contains examples of how environmental changes have affected the occurrence of various infectious diseases in humans in the past. 

Students will learn about the different ways infectious diseases are transmitted and the association of infectious diseases with climatic conditions. They will also briefly understand how predictive modelling has shown that climate change could potentially result in changes in transmission patterns.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What is the zoonotic transmission of a disease? Give examples.
  2. Discuss what zoonotic transmission is, in the context of the SARS-CoV-2. 
  3. Discuss process-based (mathematical) models and their use in tracking the spread of malaria.

About the tool

Tool NameClimate Change and Infectious Diseases
DisciplineBiological Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineInfectious Diseases, Disease Transmission, Zoonosis, Anthroponosis, Virus, Virus spillover, Malaria
Climate Topic Climate and the Biosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byWorld Health Organization
Hosted atWorld Health Organization Website
Linkhttps://www.who.int/globalchange/climate/en/chapter6.pdf
AccessOnline/Offline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Ecosystem-Based Conservation in Central Africa

Posted by on in Biological Sciences

A case study titled ‘Mountain Gorillas Ecosystem Services and Local Livelihoods in Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo’ from the report ‘Biodiversity, Climate Change and Sustainable Development – Harnessing Synergies and Celebrating Successes’. This case study describes ecosystem-based conservation of the mountain gorilla in Central Africa. It focuses on the vulnerability of mountain gorillas as well as the local communities in the region due to climate change and its impacts. 

Students will learn about threats faced by mountain gorillas, in terms of habitat loss, community use of forest resources, and climate change. They will also learn of ecosystem-based approaches of mountain gorilla conservation. Additionally, students will understand how mountain gorilla habitat conservation is linked to livelihoods of local communities in the region. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What are the threats faced by the mountain gorilla of Central Africa due to climate change?
  2. Discuss ecosystem-based conservation approaches for the conservation of mountain gorilla and their habitat.
  3. Discuss the role of different stakeholders in ecosystem-based conservation.

About the Tool 

Tool Name 9.8. Case #8 Mountain Gorillas Ecosystem Services and Local Livelihoods in Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo from Biodiversity, Climate Change and Sustainable Development harnessing synergies and Celebrating Successes
Discipline Biological Sciences
Topic(s) in Discipline Conservation, Ecosystem-based Conservation, Habitat Loss, Mountain Gorilla
Climate Topic Climate and the Biosphere
Type of Tool Reading
Grade Level High School, Undergraduate
Location Africa, Central Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo
Language English
Translation –
Developed by Guy Midgley, Sarshen Marais, Mandy Barnett and Katinka Wågsæther, University of South African National Biodiversity Institute, Conservation South Africa and Indigo Development and Change
Hosted at UNFCCC
Link Reading Link
Access Online, Offline
Computer Skills Basic

Reading: Climate Change and the Decline of Insect Population

Posted by on in Biological Sciences

A short article that describes the decline of insect population due to climate change. This article by the Entomological Society of America focuses on the importance of insects in food webs and how climate change affects their distribution.

Students will learn how a changing climate generally reduces the population of insects and potentially alters the food web. Further, they will learn about the impacts on food security and the potential spread of vector-borne diseases. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Why are insects important to an ecosystem? 
  2. How does climate change affect insect populations? 
  3. Discuss the impacts of climate change on insect population, food security and disease.

About the tool

Tool Name Climate-Change Impact on Insects ‘Simply Cannot be Ignored’
Discipline Biological Sciences
Topic(s) in Discipline Insects, Arthropods, Insect Biodiversity, Food Web, Food Security, Invasive Species, Vector-borne Diseases
Climate Topic  Climate and the Biosphere
Type of tool  Reading
Grade Level High School, Undergraduate
Location Global
Language English 
Translation
Developed by Entomological Society of America
Hosted at Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Link https://www.entsoc.org/climate-change-impact-insects-simply-cannot-be-ignored
Access Online
Computer Skills Basic

Classroom Activity: Climate Change and Phenology in Plants (Flowering)

Posted by on in Biological Sciences

A classroom/ laboratory activity to learn about phenology and phenological events, and to understand the potential impacts of climate change on periodic life-cycle events in plants, specifically, on the bloom date of North American lilac shrubs.

Read More “Classroom Activity: Climate Change and Phenology in Plants (Flowering)”

Video/Microlecture: Climate Change and Biology Education

Posted by on in Biological Sciences

A set of two video lectures by Juliette Rooney-Varga, University of Massachusetts at Lowell, that discusses climate change education in the Biological Sciences. Lecture 1 is titled ‘Climate Change, Biology and Systems Thinking’ and discusses the importance of a system thinking approach to understand the causes and impacts of climate change. Lecture 2 is titled ‘Let the Games Begin: Climate Change Education Audience’ and discusses the importance of integrating climate change education in the Biological Sciences curriculum. The video also discusses the challenges of such an integrated pedagogical approach. It further highlights effective pedagogical strategies such as simulation-based role-playing games to understand climate change and topics in the Biological Sciences.

Students will learn about the need for integrating climate change into biology education. They will also understand the role of the biosphere in the Earth’s climate system.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What is the role of the biological sciences in understanding climate change?
  2. How can a system thinking approach benefit better understanding of climate change?

About the Tool 

Tool NameClimate Change Education
DisciplineBiological Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Climate and the Biosphere; Climate Literacy
Type of tool Video/Microlecture (Part 1:27 min and Part 2: 34 min)
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byJuliette Rooney-Varga
Hosted atiBiology
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Biogeochemical Cycles

Posted by on in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences

A reading titled “Carbon and Other Biogeochemical Cycle”’ from the Fifth Assessment Report titled “Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis” by Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This reading discusses the carbon cycle and other long-term biogeochemical cycles and can be used to introduce topics such as  long-term cycles and feedback mechanisms. It also discusses concepts of atmospheric carbon, the greenhouse effect, solar radiation, ocean acidification and carbon cycle feedback. 

Students will learn about the various biogeochemical cycles and will understand Earth’s climate system and climate change. They will additionally learn about how these cycles interact with each other on different scales.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What is the carbon cycle?
  2. Discuss Earth’s climate system, climate change and biogeochemical cycles.

About the Tool 

Tool NameCarbon and Other Biogeochemical Cycles
DisciplineBiological Sciences, Environmental Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview, Carbon Cycles, Nitrogen Cycle, Methane, Long-term Cycles
Climate Topic Long-term Cycles and Feedback Mechanisms
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Hosted atIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Website
LinkLink
AccessOnline/Offline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: ‘Move, Adapt or Die’

Posted by on in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences

A reading that discusses different aspects of evolutionary adaptations to climate change in animals. This reading by Renee Cho, Earth Institute, Columbia University, uses various examples to showcase how animals adapt to climate change and how a warming climate forces animals to ‘move, adapt or die’. 

Students will learn about some of the morphological, biological, and physiological adaptations that occur in response to climate change. They will further be introduced to the concept of epigenetics, its role in phenotypic plasticity and how this differs from environmental adaptation. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What is evolutionary adaptation? How does it differ from phenotypic plasticity? Give an example. 
  2. How is climate change influencing evolutionary adaptations in living organisms? 
  3. What is epigenetics? Discuss its role in phenotypic plasticity? 
  4. Discuss why it is important to maintain large species populations and biodiversity in the context of adaptations.

About the tool

Tool NameWhat Helps Animals Adapt (or Not) to Climate Change?
DisciplineBiological Sciences, Environmental Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineEvolution, Evolutionary Adaptations, Natural SelectionPhenotypic Variations, Genetic Variations
Gene Frequency, Phenotypic Plasticity
Morphological or Physiological Traits, Epigenetic Factors
Climate Topic Climate and the Biosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byRenee Cho
Hosted atEarth Institute, Columbia University
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Video: Gene Editing in Tomato Plants

Posted by on in Biological Sciences

A video that describes a new gene editing technology, ‘CRISPR: Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats’, which could be utilized in agricultural production in response to climate change. This video by Zachary Lippman, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), highlights his use of CRISPR gene editing in two varieties of tomato plants to make them flower and ripen earlier than usual.

Students will learn briefly about growth cycles in tomato plants, and their tendency to reduce yield when days are longer. They will further understand the use of CRISPR technology in tomato plants and how this approach is useful to obtain faster and higher yields of the tomato crop.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Discuss how climate change might impact the growth of the tomato plant.
  2. Discuss the role of CRISPR in agricultural production using the tomato crop as an example. 

About the tool

Tool NameGene editing yields tomatoes that flower and ripen weeks earlier
DisciplineBiological Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineGene Editing, CRISPR, Tomato Plant, Cultivation
Climate Topic Climate and Agriculture; Climate and the Biosphere
Type of tool Video (3 mins)
Grade LevelHigh School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byZachary Lippman
Hosted atCold Spring Harbor Laboratory on YouTube
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: GM Crops in Sub-Saharan Africa

Posted by on in Biological Sciences

A reading by John Agaba, Alliance for Science, Cornell University, that describes the importance of food security in Sub-Saharan Africa, in the face of climate change. This reading includes several examples of genetically modified crops and why they are favoured by farmers in Sub-Saharan African countries.

Students will learn about genetically modified crops and some arguments surrounding their utilization. They will further understand how genetically modified crops could possibly bolster food security in several Sub-Saharan African countries that are dealing with failed crops due to climate change.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Briefly describe Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). 
  2. Why do farmers prefer to plant hybrid or genetically modified crops? List some of the examples.
  3. Discuss the arguments surrounding GM crop utilization in Africa.

About the tool

Tool NameAfrican farmers want GMO seeds to help weather climate change
DisciplineBiological Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineGenetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), GMO Crops
Climate Topic Climate and Agriculture; Climate and the Biosphere; Climate Mitigation and Adaptation
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School
LocationGlobal, Africa
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byJohn Agaba
Hosted atAlliance for Science, Cornell University
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Insect Behaviour and Temperature Variation

Posted by on in Biological Sciences

A short reading from Chapter 1, Lesson 3 of ‘Integrating Climate Change Issues in Southeast Asian Schools; A Teachers’ Guide’ that describes how changes in temperature can affect insect life cycles and populations. This lesson titled  ‘Interesting Insects’ by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) highlights the implications of increased temperatures on insect behavior.

Students will understand how temperature variations can directly impact insect behavior due to their cold-blooded physiology. They will also learn about the potential increase in populations and life cycles per season of insects or pests.  

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How do temperature variations affect the physiology of insects? 
  2. Discuss how climate change can affect insect behaviour and populations?   

About the tool

Tool Name‘Interesting Insects’ (Chapter 1, Lesson 3, Pages 42-43: Main Concepts and Skills)
DisciplineBiological Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineAnimal Behavior, Insects, Insect Behavior, Life Cycle, Insect Biodiversity
Climate Topic Climate and the Biosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed bySoutheast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO)
Hosted atSoutheast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Website
LinkLink
AccessOnline/Offline
Computer SkillsBasic

Video/Microlecture: Global Warming and Sleep Deprivation

Posted by on in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences

A video microlecture that discusses the potential impact of global warming on human health and sleep cycles. This video by Ryan Cross, hosted on the website of the journal Science,  describes the effects of warmer  temperatures on sleep quality in individuals in the United States. 

Students will learn how sleep is negatively affected by higher nighttime temperatures that lead to adverse impacts on human health. They will further learn how certain vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds tend to be more severely affected.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How does climate change induced warming impact sleep cycles? 
  2. Discuss some negative impacts on individual health due to sleep deprivation. 

About the tool

Tool NameScientists warn of sleepless nights in a warming world
DisciplineBiological Sciences, Environmental Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineHuman Health, Sleep, Sleep Cycles, Sleep Deprivation
Climate Topic Climate and Health
Type of tool Video (3 mins)
Grade LevelHigh School
LocationGlobal, USA
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byRyan Cross
Hosted atScience
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic