Pine beetles, water resources, urban heat, snowpack
and other factors are affected as global climate warms. How is our region changing? Are we experiencing more or less impacts than other regions, states, or countries? What sorts of changes may be in store for the future?
This session will combine hands-on activities with science content exploring what we know about Earth’s climate, how climate change is causing environmental changes in Colorado, and how area scientists are continuing to research these ongoing impacts.
Learn more about the work of the National Center for Atmospheric Research and its Office of Education and Outreach as well as the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) at these sites:
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
Office of Education and Outreach Visitor Center
Colorado Headwaters Project at NCAR
National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON)
A fact sheet on climate modeling can be found here.
Pine Bark Beetle Report
Newspaper Article regarding Climate Temperature Records (as discussed during workshop)
Activities and Resources:
- Systems Game in Engaging Students Through Global Issues
- "Get the Picture"activity and graphs
- Project BudBurst
- Budburst Buddies
- Carbon Cycle Game
- Feeling the Heat
- Workshop Powerpoint
- Powerpoint Slides in PDF (75 mb)
- IPCC Visualization of Climate Change compared to 1870 - 1899 mean (Quicktime)
- Recommended Web Resources about Global Climate Change and NCAR
- PDF of CO's Climate Action Plan (2007)
- Colorado Climate Preparedness Project Final Report (2011)
Links to Colorado Climate Information:
Colorado Foundation for Water Education
Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State University
Western Governors' Association
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences
CU's Learn More About Climate (including video on the Pine Bark Beetle)