(Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.)

1. Introduce Climate Change through the readings and videos

Reading (15 min) and Video (5-15 min)

This reading titled, “The Causes of Climate Change” from the NASA Global Climate Change website, provides introductory information on climate change and global warming. It contains information on the scientific evidence of climate change, its causes and impacts.

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Optional: This set of 7 short video micro-lectures (2-5 minutes in length)have been developed by the National Research Council, The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. This can be used to provide additional information on climate change.

They include:

1. What is Climate? Climate Change, Lines of Evidence Chapter 1
2. Is Earth Warming? Climate Change, Lines of Evidence Chapter 2
3. Greenhouse Gasses. Climate Change, Lines of Evidence Chapter 3
4. Increased Emissions. Climate Change, Lines of Evidence Chapter 4
5. How Much Warming? Climate Change, Lines of Evidence Chapter 5
6. Solar Influence. Climate Change, Lines of Evidence Chapter 6
7. Natural Cycles. Climate Change, Lines of Evidence Chapter 7

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2. Discuss causes and impacts of Climate Change in Nicaragua

Reading 1 (World Bank)

Use this interactive website by the Climate Change Knowledge Portal of the World Bank to have your students understand the impacts of Climate Change in Nicaragua. This resource includes the following:

1. Climate Change Overview of Nicaragua
2. Country Summary
3. Current Climatology: Climate Trends and Variability in Temperatures and Precipitation
4. Climate Projections
5. Vulnerability of Nicaragua to Climate Change

Each section contains relevant climate change information including data, projections, and visualizations. The data is visualized through interactive graphs and users can select different indices, model projections, timescales, and sectors to better understand the impacts of climate change in Nicaragua.

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3. Further understanding on impacts of Climate Change on key sectors in Nicaragua

Reading 2 (USAID)

You may wish to have your students explore climate change and its risks in Nicaragua in more detail through a resource from climatelinks: A Global Knowledge Portal for Climate and Development Practitioners of the USAID.

This factsheet on climate risks in Nicaragua includes information on:

1. Current and future climate impacts and vulnerabilities in Nicaragua.
2. Climate impacts on key sectors of:

1. Agriculture
2. Water Resources
3. Human Health
4. Ecosystems

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4. OPTIONAL Classroom/Laboratory Activity

Classroom/Laboratory Activity(15 min)

You may wish to conduct an optional activity to further engage your students in understanding climate change in your country. You may ask your students to refer to the Climate Stories section. TROP ICSU can help your students search for climate stories from your region in the following categories:

• Climate Change and Conflict
• Climate Change and Extreme Weather
• Climate Change and Food Security
• Climate Change and Water Security

You may carry out a student-led group discussion on climate impacts in your country and potential solutions to the climate crisis.

Use this Lesson Plan to help the students to understand and find answers to:

1. What is Climate Change? What are its causes?
2. What are the impacts of climate change on Nicaragua?
3.  What are the impacts of climate change on agriculture, water resources, human health, and ecosystems in Nicaragua?
4. What mitigation practices can be adopted to control the impacts of climate change in Nicaragua?