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Climate Change in Canada
.Home
.What is Climate Change?
Curriculum Tools
.Home
.Grade 5
Science - S2
.Table of Contents
.Acknowledgements
.Preface
.Introduction
.Curriculum Outcome Links
.Application to Senior 2 Science Weather Dynamics
.Climate change in Nunavut
.Climate change in Atlantic Canada
.Climate change in Quebec
.Climate change in the Yukon and Northwest Territories
.Climate change in Ontario
.Climate change in British Columbia
.Climate change in the Prairie Provinces


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 Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation
Natural Resources Canada > Earth Sciences Sector > Priorities > Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation > Curriculum Tools
Climate Change in Canada - Curriculum Tools
Science - S2 - Teacher's Resource
Temperature Rising: Climate Change in Southwestern British Columbia

Please note: These exercises are not designed to be filled out nor printed from your Web browser. Please download and print the PDF files located at the bottom of the page.

Temperature Rising: Climate Change in Southwestern British Columbia

Key ( /60)

Trivia Challenge:

Search the entire poster to find answers for the following: (bonus)

  1. What animals are diagrammed as methane producers?
    Sheep and cattle
  2. How thick was the glacier on top of Vancouver 16 000 years ago?
    1.5 km
  3. What monster is said to inhabit Okanagan Lake?
    Ogopogo

Did You Know?

Use the pieces of information under this heading ("Did You Know?") on the poster to answer the following true/false (T or F) questions. If the statement is false, cross out the incorrect word or number value, and write in the correct version. (10)

Hydroelectric reservoirs supply 50% of B.C.'s electrical needs. F, 90%

Canada has about 4% of the world's population, but produces 2% of global CO2 emissions. F, 0.5% population

The cost of fighting B.C.'s forest fires during the 1998 summer was $120 million. T

The 1980's was the warmest decade of the last century. F, 1990's

9000 years ago, average temperatures in southern B.C. were 1 - 2 ēC warmer than today. T

The 1948 Fraser River Flood cost an estimated $10 million. F, $200

Mackerel may eat young salmon. T

On average, each person uses over 100 L of water at home every day. F, 300

Motor vehicle exhaust is the source of nearly 30% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the lower Fraser Valley. T

The atmosphere of Venus is 75% CO2. F, 98%


Is Climate Changing?

  1. How does weather differ from climate? (1)
    Daily vs. extended conditions
  2. How do glaciers behave when climate changes? (1)
    Expand when cools/shrink when warms
  3. By how much is the global temperature expected to rise above 1980 levels by the year 2100? (1)
    ~ 4.5 - 5ēC
  4. Where does the global map indicate the most significant temperature changes will occur? (1)
    The poles

Climate Has Always Changed:

  1. What kind of biodiversity would you expect to have inhabited the Vancouver area 16 000 years ago? (1)
    Very little, it was covered with ice!
  2. Examine the global temperature change over 10 000 years. What seems to be the trend toward the year 2100? (1)
    Warming
  3. When did the Little Ice Age occur? (1)
    ~1300 until late 1800's
  4. Do you think extrapolating the graph from 1998 shows a probable increase? Why or why not? (1)


Why is Climate Changing Now?

  1. Record the following percentages of incoming solar radiation: (2)
    25% absorbed by atmosphere
    25% reflected by atmosphere
    47% absorbed by Earth's surface
    3% reflected by Earth's surface

  2. Summarize the carbon balance diagram. (2)
    Carbon transfers between the hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere.
  3. What turning point saw additions of CO2 to the atmosphere overtake removals? (1)
    Industrial Revolution
  4. Aside from water vapour, what are "the big three" GHGs? (1)
    1. CO2
    2. CH4
    3. N2O


  5. What are the causes of the rapid build-up of CO2 in our atmosphere? (1)
    Human activities: burning fossil fuels, deforestation, agricultural practices.
  6. Examine the graph on atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
    1. How many ppm CO2 are currently in our atmosphere? (1)
      ~360 ppm
    2. What is the projected concentration for the year 2050? (1)
      ~480 ppm

The Air We Breathe:

  1. What gets trapped in the Fraser Valley? (.5)
    Smog
  2. What will happen to the number of "bad air" days as climate warms? (1)
    Increase

Coastal Floods and Failing Ships:

  1. Wetter and stormier winters are predicted for coastal B.C. Predict what impact this might have on the skiing industry in B.C. (1)
    Positive and negative impacts.
  2. Are slopes more or less at risk with wetter winters? Explain. (1)
    More at risk, due to the reduced stability of the slopes.

Rising Seas:

  1. As climate warms, what will happen to glaciers? (1)
    Melt = increased seawater
  2. What areas are most vulnerable to rising sea levels? (1)
    Deltas, tidal marshes, low-lying coastal areas
  3. Answer the "?" regarding restricting development along shorelines. (1)
    Opinion...restrictions might save property if sea levels rise.
  4. Explain what is meant by "coastal squeeze". (1)
    Loss of coastal land, and "squeeze" on developed cities and their dykes.

Salmon in Hot Water:

  1. Why might tuna and mackerel replace salmon stocks in southern B.C.? (1)
    They live in warmer waters, while salmon are a cooler water fish.
  2. How might a reduction in salmon affect B.C.'s economy? (1)
    Huge impact!
  3. Create a "human stress-o-meter" to temperature, similar to the one for salmon. (2)
    Air temperature:
    +45ēC Extreme stress
    +40ēC Very high stress
    +35ēC High stress
    +30ēC Uncomfortable
    +25ēC Comfortable
    +20ēC Comfortable

Low-Water Blues:

  1. What industry will largely be affected by changes in river flow with climate warming? (1)
    Hydroelectric power generation
  2. How much more water is used in an average home for showers than for baths? (1)
    19% compared to 2%; ~10 times more
  3. What units are river flows reported in? (.5)
    m3/s
  4. What date typically sees the Similkameen River's highest flow rate? (1)
    ~May 20
  5. Explain what is meant by "evapotranspiration". (1)
    Evaporation from plant surfaces/leaves.
  6. As evapotranspiration increases, what happens to the summer watertable? (1)
    Decreases

Forests in Transition:

  1. Answer the "?" in the centre of this frame. (1)
    They will suffer...poor growth, increased fire risks, etc.
  2. Approximately how far is Kamloops from Hope, B.C.? (1)
    ~100 km
  3. Which of these 2 regions (Kamloops/Hope) do you think will be more affected by climate warming, and why? (1)
    Kamloops – grassland and scattered pine
    Hope – forest
    Opinion question...forest
  4. What impact will climate warming have on the B.C. forest industry and economy? (1)
    Improved growth and yield? Loss due to increased fire?

Down on the Farm:

  1. Explain why the impacts of warming will have "mixed blessings" for the interior? (1)
    Better growing conditions vs. increased drought
  2. How will climate warming affect impacts on crops by pests? (1)
    It will increase the impact pests have.
  3. If you were a greenhouse owner, how would your expenses shift throughout the year from present day? (1)
    Lowered winter heating costs; increased summer cooling costs.
  4. What do you think the overall impact will be to the average B.C. farmer's income? (1)
    Opinion...increased yields vs. impacts of drought

How Do We Measure Up?

  1. Rank these countries (1 - 9) by 1995 CO2 emissions: (2)
    2 Canada
    6 Latin America
    9 India
    4 U.S.S.R.
    7 China
    8 Africa
    5 Japan
    3 Australia
    1 U.S.

  2. Approximately how many citizens of India have the same impact as one Canadian in CO2 emissions? (1)
    India ~0.25 tonnes/year
    Canada ~4.75 tonnes/year = ~19

  3. Out of individual household CO2 emissions, what % does automobile use put out? (1)
    45%
  4. What activities contribute to 75% of CO2 emissions that are not individually produced? (1)
    Transportation, electricity generation, fossil fuel production, agriculture, community and industrial waste, other industry.

Let's Meet the Challenge:

  1. What did Margaret Mead say? (1)
    "Never doubt that a small group of committed peoples can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that has."
  2. What does she mean? (1)
    Open...a small number of individuals in developed countries (on a global ratio) have impacted our world enormously.
  3. Generate a list from group members, outlining what we as individuals can do to help reduce our personal impact on climate change: (1)



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2006-10-06Important notices