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SUMMARY
Video length: 4:18 min
Selected for the CLEAN Collection. This summary is by the CLEAN reviewers:
In this video the Pentagon's focus on climate change is described as a significant factor as the military examines potential risks, strategic responses, and impacts of climate change on future military and humanitarian missions. In 2010, for the first time, the Pentagon focused on climate change as a significant factor in its Quadrennial Defense Review of potential risks and strategic responses. Rear Admiral David Titley, Oceanographer of the Navy, explains why the US military sees clear evidence of climate change, and how those changes will affect future military and humanitarian missions.
GOALS
- Students will understand that global climate change is of concern to nations and has national security implications.
- Students will learn that the impacts of climate change can vary by degree, type and location.
- Students will understand that altering human behaviors based on climate projections can benefit our future.
Carbon dioxide, climate change, fossil fuels, glacier, global warming
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION AND TEACHING MATERIALS
View >> The Pentagon and Climate Change - The Earth's Operator Manual
http://earththeoperatorsmanual.com/segment/7
TEACHING NOTES / CONTEXT FOR USE
Read >> The CLEAN reviewers comments about this resource.
Teaching tips below are by the developers of this resource:
Engage:
Using a US or world map, begin by asking your students to place Post-it notes at any location where they have a relative who they think might be impacted by global warming. Lead a group discussion: who are they thinking about, and why did they place their notes where they did? Does anyone have grandparents who vacation in Florida? Is there a pattern to the note locations? What type of climate impact were they envisioning? Who should be concerned about global warming? Make a list of potential topics to explore.
Explain/Explore:
Global climate change can often leave individuals feeling overwhelmed and unsure about how or if they can mitigate its effects. Yet recent research is showing that when climate change is portrayed in a local context or becomes personally meaningful, people become much more engaged. Introduce The Pentagon and Climate Change video and ask students to watch for who it is that’s paying close attention to the science, and to name at least one issue that he/they are concerned about.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES:
It’s recommended that you follow the video with the first activity below to clarify what type of melting ice is involved with rising sea level. A high percentage of people have misconceptions about this concept. The additional activities offer increasingly more complex learning opportunities. Be sure to check out the Expand activity below, as it will bring climate change issues home in a more personal way.
1) CONCEPT: Different effects on sea level result from the melting of land ice versus sea ice.
Sea Level Change-Floating Ice versus Land Ice
http://lima.nasa.gov/mysteries/q1/lessons/Sea_Level_Change_LP.pdf
Description:
Using readily available materials, students create mini-models of floating and grounded ice and calculate the result of the melting on the volume of water in two containers.
Comments:
To simplify this experiment for younger students, you might have them draw a line where the water level is at the beginning, do one trial run for a few hours, and draw a line showing the results at the end. Video images of the set-up are included for you, as well as assessment questions.
2) CONCEPT : Global temperatures and sea levels vary over time and place.
Climate Time Machine and Sea Level Viewer
http://climate.nasa.gov/education/TipsandTricks/TipsNTricksTipsheet_11-20-10.pdf
Description:
NASA’s Global Climate Change web site offers multiple online simulations of climate change impacts for students to explore, using interactive tools. Computers and Internet access are needed. Teacher Tips are included at the URL above and specific examples of hurricanes or coastal impacts are included for student review.
Comments:
This quick interactive simulation is an excellent follow-up for visual learners and portrays the “big picture” of changes in the climate. Most appropriate for upper elementary and middle school students
3) CONCEPT: Sea level can be monitored using various technologies and is influenced by multiple, interacting factors.
http://www.dataintheclassroom.org/content/sea-level/teachers.html
Description:
This NOAA unit contains 5 progressive activities incorporating sea surface height and tide data. Students use math to compute mean values and evaluation variables affecting sea level.
Comments:
This sophisticated data-driven series of activities is offered for older students or teachers who want a more in-depth exploration of sea level concepts. Students need a solid understanding of math. Inexpensive hands-on materials are needed for some explorations, as well as a computer, projection and internet access. An assessment rubric is included
EXPAND/ADAPT/CONNECT:
An excellent way to wrap up this study is by having students investigate the potential local impact of climate change in their own particular region. For middle school students, an online, interactive exploration is available at:
Climate Change Wildlife and Woodlands: Explore Your Eco-Region
http://www.globalchange.gov/resources/educators/toolkit/explore
This ecosystem-based investigation of climate impact on wildlife and woodlands includes case studies by region and multiple associated learning resources. An important element is a focus on how students can help. The web site offers a free DVD of the materials for non-web access.
For older students, NOAA’s climate education site offers major assessment and impact reports, as well as a mechanism for predicting climate by region: http://www.climate.gov/#dataServices/predictions.
Students can be challenged to choose an issue and a region and write a short essay on ways to mitigate the level of impact.
You might also have them read and comment on Admiral Titley’s interview.
A class wrap-up can include students reflecting of what they have discovered and looking back at their initial brainstorming ideas. Have their views about who should be concerned, or the types of impacts that are possible changed?
ASSESSMENT
Assessment is at the discretion of the educator and how this resource is applied.
REFERENCES AND RESOURCES
Full resources list found at : http://earththeoperatorsmanual.com/resources/books
Too Hot Not to Handle (2006) HBO Home Video
DVDS:
SHORT DESCRIPTION
This is Segment 7 of The Earth - Operating Manual. Description is by the developers of the original resource.
In 2010, for the first time, the Pentagon focused on climate change as a significant factor in its Quadrennial Defense Review of potential risks and strategic responses. Rear Admiral David Titley, Oceanographer of the Navy, explains why the US military sees clear evidence of climate change, and how those changes will affect future military and humanitarian missions. (See also the full transcript of his Interview.) Of particular note is the likely impact of sea level rise on naval facilities which are, of course, primarily on coasts. Titley argues that earth and physical science offer useful projections of future climate that we can use to make sound decisions.
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