Climate Change and Water availability L.O: To examine what has caused the climate to change, and analyse the impacts this has had on the Andes and the communities living there. Starter: Define the term “global climate change”. Extension: How is climate change different from “global warming?”

CO₂ (Carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere Since 1958, scientists have measured the amount of CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere from a site on the Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii, a group of South Pacific islands. This site is one of the best locations in the world for measuring CO2 because there are no plants or human activities nearby to influence the measurements (any volcanic venting of gas is excluded from the record). The Mauna Loa data are considered to be a precise record of the concentration of CO2 in the region.

Group graph activity: CO2 in the atmosphere In groups of 3, you will each complete a part of a large graph. Complete your part of the graph as shown below. It is vital your group uses the same scale – talk to each other!

When you have finished, put your three graphs together, and answer the following questions: ALL: 1) What pattern do you notice in the graph over 50 years? 2) What do you think caused the increase in CO 2 ? MOST: 3) The level of CO 2 in the year 1860 was approximately 280 ppm. How does the rise from 1860 to 1958 compare to that from 1958 to 2009? 4) Looking at the graph, what do you predict the CO 2 level will be in the year 2020? In the year 2050? SOME: 5) What factors could influence your predictions for 4)? 6) How might the change in CO 2 affect people and other living things?

Heat from the sun shines onto the Earth. It passes through a blanket of gases in our atmosphere.

Some of the heat energy is reflected back into space. Some of the heat energy gets absorbed by the blanket of gases.

The ‘greenhouse’ gases are essential to life on Earth. Without them heat energy would escape back into space. Earth would be a very chilly place with an average temperature of -18°C !

The gases work a bit like glass in a greenhouse to trap in warmth. But the earth is getting warmer and warmer. WHY? The greenhouse gases help to keep the temperature of the earth in balance. This process is called the GREENHOUSE EFFECT.

Human activities are creating more greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide, CO 2. As we burn more fossil fuels, for example, the blanket of greenhouse gases becomes thicker.

More greenhouse gases in the atmosphere mean that more heat energy is absorbed. We call this increase in the temperature of the earth ‘global warming’.

Recap: The Greenhouse Effect Using this diagram, explain how the trends shown in your graph link to climate change. Extension: Name as many effects of climate change as you can.

Case Study: The Andes As you are watching the videos, answer the following questions: 1) What is happening to the glaciers? Try to include facts and figures 2) How is the changing climate affecting: – The environment – Wildlife – People 3) Why are people fighting over the water? 4) What can the communities do to increase their water supply? Video 1 Video 2 Video 3

Plenary A local newspaper is very interested in the issue of global warming, but is worried the issue is too complex for its readers! Outline the causes and effects of global warming in one easy to read paragraph. Try not to look at your work from today! The sun shines onto the Earth. As a result.... A blanket of gases... However, in recent years... As a result... The effects of this are...