Week 12: Before the Flood

 

  1. This week in lab we explored climate change. We began by discussing the movie we watched for our assignment. We then explored how climate change is specifically impacting Iowa by determining the amount of rainfall across many years in different regions of Iowa. As a class, we determined that Iowa is getting warmer and experiencing heavier rainfall. We then ended lab by using this understanding to determine if the Goldfinch is in danger. I determined that I believe it is in danger as the heavy rainfall could impact their nests, and the heat could impact their eggs, chicks, and food source/seeds. Below, I have my notes on climate change and my data on the amount of rainfall in the Des Moines area.

    1. What are the primary points in the video?

      1. Carbon emission and carbon tax 

      2. The different impacts around the world 

      3. Energy usage 

    2. What are the major issues?

      1. People think that climate change is a slow process when it is rapid

      2. People do not think it is human caused 

      3. Places will soon become inhabitable, potentially causing a world war

      4. Huge political issue

    3. What questions do you want us to teach you?

      1. How do the different sources of renewable energy work compared to fossil fuels?

      2. What further impacts have happened today?

      3. How should we teach our future students about this?

    4. You're a teacher: how would you like us to teach you?

      1. A broad/well rounded understanding of the issue and how to teach children about it 

  1. What is the difference between weather and climate, and how is climate change negatively impacting our Earth?

  2. Discussion Notes:

Nov 13 

Climate v Weather

  • Meteorologists often point out that: climate is what you expect. Weather is what you get. 

  • Middle school example: Climate helps you decide what clothes to buy, weather helps you decide what clothes to wear 

  • Other examples: weather is your mood, climate is your personality. 

  • Weather is day to day

  • Climate is the average weather over a 30-year period. 

Quiz

  • Why do some regions have a hot climate, and others cold? 

  • 6 variables: LOWER Near Water: 

    • Latitude: Distance from the Equator is a key factor in determining whether a climate is hot or cold.

    • Ocean Currents: Temperature of an ocean current affects the temperature of air that passes over it

    • Wind & Air Masses: An air mass is a large volume of air that takes on the climatic conditions of the area where it is formed 

    • Elevation: The higher in Altitude, the Colder in Temperature. As the air rises, it expands because of the lower air pressure. As the air expands, it cools. 

    • Relief: Precipitation created when air mass rises to cross a mountain barrier. An adiabatic process is one in which no heat is gained or lost by the system. 

    • Near Water: In the summer the water acts like an air conditioner to keep the air temperatures cool. In the winter water acts like a heater to keep the temperatures from getting too cold. Continental Climate (away from water). Maritime Climate (close to water).

Iowa Climate Change

  • As the planet warms, it is predicted that large areas of earth’s surface will experience a greater frequency of extreme precipitation that could damage essential infrastructure or potentially lead to flooding 

  • Nationally, there has been an increase in the portion of the United States that experiences extreme, single-day precipitation events, going back to the early 20th century, with nine of the top 10 years occurring since 1990

  • On a local level, the state of Iowa has seen an upward trend in the number of days that experience more than 1.25 inches of rainfall

  • Local climatic changes such as these can negatively impact crop production, contributing to delays in planting and harvesting, while also degrading the quality of surface waters 

  • More energy, stronger events. More energy: green house gases built up on our planet, too much green house gas is trapping energy  

  1. In Chapter 12, I learned more about climate change and the detrimental effects we are facing, and will continue to face. While reading this chapter, I found the clear language easy to understand and the linked articles helpful to deepen my understanding. This chapter began by explaining the difference between climate and weather; weather is what is happening now, and climate is what happens usually. I then learned more about climate change specifically in Iowa, compared to globally, which is what we typically see in the news. It was frightening to learn that Iowa is and will continue to experience more precipitation, droughts, and hotter temperatures, which will negatively impact our agriculture and habitats. Ultimately affecting all living things that will need to adapt to survive. This chapter also gave the example of the Iowa City flood, which I made a connection to as my hometown experienced a detrimental flood last summer. At the time, I did not connect that to climate change, but I now understand that was a direct effect of climate change. Lastly, I learned more about how I can make a difference through educating myself, reducing my carbon footprint, and talking to politicians. However, after reading this chapter I am wondering how to educate my students on climate change in a way that motivates them, but does not scare them too much about our future. 

  2. I have no questions, comments, or concerns at this time. 

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