This short video and the article that follows both define and give examples of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures specific to Wisconsin's landscape and economy.
The video describes how individual climate mitigation actions can be helpful, but action at every level such as individual, business, community, state, country, and global is necessary to combat climate change.
The article below the video describes more examples of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in more general terms, not as specific to Wisconsin.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The video uses fun, cartoonish graphics to demonstrate adaptation and mitigation measures and may inspire students to create their own art related to the topic.
The examples of climate change consequences effectively describe economic reasons climate change is harmful for Wisconsin, which may be an important angle to garner attention from certain stakeholders.
The article and links provide additional context describing the need for large-scale action to combat climate change and the need for adaptation measures because of the continuing effects of global warming.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should be familiar with the link between fossil fuel use for energy and climate change.
Students should be familiar with some basic agricultural and environmental concepts such as growing seasons, pest management, and flood prevention.
Differentiation
A graphic organizer in which students separate mitigation and adaptation strategies into two different columns may help them understand the different types of climate actions.
As an extension activity, consider having students engage in a debate where they argue whether individual or governmental actions are necessary to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Have students discover adaptation strategies in place in their community by interviewing local farmers, city planners, or landscapers.
Scientist Notes
This resource provided by PBS Wisconsin provides a ~2.5-minute long video that discusses how climate change will impact various aspects of our lives, and our responses fall into two categories: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions through measures like regulations and individual actions to slow down climate change. Adaptation involves preparing for and responding to climate change impacts like flooding and heat waves by implementing strategies such as updating infrastructure and conserving natural resources. Both mitigation and adaptation are essential for building resilience in the face of climate change, as even with aggressive mitigation, some changes are already inevitable due to the existing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This resource would be a great addition to a classroom discussion on the responses to climate change.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-3 Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
HS-ESS3-2 Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.
HS-ESS3-3 Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.
HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Economics
D2.Eco.2.6-8 Evaluate alternative approaches or solutions to current economic issues in terms of benefits and costs for different groups and society as a whole.
Dimension 2: Geography
D2.Geo.9.9-12 Evaluate the influence of long-term climate variability on human migration and settlement patterns, resource use, and land uses at local-to-global scales.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Reading: Science & Technical Subjects (6-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6-8 texts and topics.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 11-12 texts and topics.
