This podcast investigates whether animals have the ability to evolve as a result of the impact people are having on the climate. According to the presenters of this podcast, climate change is a "code red" for the animal kingdom.
Listeners will hear from scientists about various animal species found around the world, including little auks, anole lizards, marine iguanas, and Eurasian blue tits, and how all of these animals are adapting their behaviors and their physical bodies to environmental changes.
Teaching Tips
Positives
Stories about animals adapting to climate change often focus on well-known species such as polar bears. In this podcast, students can learn about many lesser-known animal species that are adapting in unique ways to survive environmental changes.
This podcast focuses on case studies in locations around the world, including the Galapagos Islands, Europe, and Turks and Caicos.
Additional Prerequisites
The podcast switches to climate news at 23:50.
It may be helpful to show students some pictures of the animal species mentioned before or after listening to this podcast.
Differentiation
Students in biology classes can use this podcast to discuss the advance in scientists' understanding about the process of biological evolution. Years ago, scientists believed that animals required decades or even centuries in order for evolution to occur. Now, evidence from recent research suggests otherwise.
Resources related to this topic include this video about natural selection, this video about species extinction and climate change, and this video about researching Pika adapting to climate change.
Scientist Notes
Animal species have migrated to new habitats as a result of the threat posed by climate change. This podcast talks about adaptation as well as proof that species have evolved as a result of climate change. It is advised to use this resource when instructing.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
HS-LS2-7 Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
LS4: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
HS-LS4-5 Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in: (1) increases in the number of individuals of some species, (2) the emergence of new species over time, and (3) the extinction of other species.
HS-LS4-6 Create or revise a simulation to test a solution to mitigate adverse impacts of human activity on biodiversity.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.3 Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas, word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used.
