Modes of adaptation
List three different, specific ways in which people who live in communities affected by climate change are adapting to climate change and/or attempting to slow its effects on their areas.
Compare and contrast
Choose two of these texts and compare and contrast them. How does each address the topic at hand, “human adapters to climate change?” Do you find one to be more effective than the other in a) capturing your interest and b) delivering information? If so, why?
Innovate
- Choose one of the communities you read about, either in Kiribati, Bangladesh, India, Seattle, Tibet or Cambodia, and brainstorm possible solutions from a global perspective to the problems your chosen community faces. What can the world do about the issue of climate change for this community?
- Brainstorm possible solutions from a local perspective. What can local citizens do about the issue of climate change for this community?
Often, we think of climate change as something that may affect our grandchildren or great-grandchildren, and that any steps we take to mitigate the issue now will benefit the world of the future.
While that is certainly true, another alarming truth is that in some parts of the world, people are feeling the impacts of climate change now. In this lesson we'll explore what regions and groups are most vulnerable to these changes, the many creative ways in which they're adapting to their new reality, and what more needs to be done.
Note: Each student in the class should read or view three of the resources listed here before answering the questions in the next section.
