Welcome to the Klimahaus
Introduction

To understand climate change, students need to understand climate. Climate comprises the long-term atmospheric conditions associated with a location. The climate of a region is defined by average monthly temperatures and rainfall. Climate averages are calculated from 30 or more years of data. Average monthly temperatures and rainfall can be shown on a climograph. Evidence of climate change depends on location and changes in factors that influence climates.

As an introduction, watch the video Welcome to the Klimahaus available on YouTube by the Transatlantic Outreach Program.

Students will read Welcome to the Klimahaus below. Allow students to analyze the Separating Human and Natural Influences on Climate graph from the U.S. Global Change Research Program on GlobalChange.gov. Students should interpret the graph and state its intended purpose. Students should read and summarize the human and natural factors contributing to climate change.
 
 

Students will:

1. Use Google Earth to develop a sense of place.
2. Use the data and information on the climograph to observe patterns in rainfall and temperature.
3. Read “Germany Prepares for Mediterranean Climate” (Witkop, 2009).
4. Explore atmospheric carbon dioxide at NASA Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet.
5. Identify factors that influence climate.
6. Identify sources of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Students should propose a mitigation and/or an adaptation strategy for sea-level rise and storm surges.