Students will learn about factors contributing to a changing climate, the effects of these changes on the environment and natural resources, and the unique challenges facing natural resource dependent communities. As they explore the impacts on human social and economic systems, they will learn about management strategies for mitigating and adapting to a changing climate, and the roles of innovative technologies and programs in responding to local and global changes.
2023 Current Issue Learning Objectives and Resources (2024 Info Coming Soon!)
Current Issue - Adapting to a Changing Climate
Key Topic 1: Factors Contributing to a Changing Climate
Sources:
https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/frequent-questions-about-climate-change-indicators#q1
https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/greenhouse-gases
https://climate.nasa.gov/causes/
https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
https://climate.nasa.gov/global-warming-vs-climate-change/
Objectives:
1. Define climate change and the process through which it occurs.
2. Describe the four main gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect and how water vapor plays a role in amplifying climate change.
3. Describe major energy sources and explain how each contributes to climate change.
4. Outline the EPA’s six categories of climate change indicators.
5. Describe the evidence for rapid climate change which points to human involvement as a key factor.
Key Topic 2: Human Health and the Climate
Sources:
https://eri.iu.edu/tools-and-resources/fact-sheets/extreme-heat-in-indiana.html
https://www.epa.gov/climatechange-science/frequently-asked-questions-about-climate-change#degree
https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/understanding-connections-between-climate-change-and-
human-health
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=healthtr
Objectives:
1. Understand how rising temperatures affect human health.
2. Describe those who are most at risk in a changing climate and why they are vulnerable.
3. Describe how air quality and climate change are linked and how it impacts human health.
4. Describe how rising temperatures are expected to impact insect populations and how that translates to human health risks
Key Topic 3: Farming and Climate Change
Sources:
https://ag.purdue.edu/climate/research/solutions/farming-for-a-better-climate/
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=agriculturetr
Objectives:
1. Understand how farming contributes to climate change.
2. Understand Purdue’s expected impacts of climate change on crops and yields.
3. Describe how soil management practices can benefit farmers and the environment.
4. Explain soil’s carbon storage capabilities.
5. Explain how rising temperatures can affect livestock.
Key Topic 4: Policies and Program for Adapting to a Changing Climate
Sources:
https://eri.iu.edu/tools-and-resources/fact-sheets/index.html
https://ag.purdue.edu/indianaclimate/energy-report/#energy_profile
https://eri.iu.edu/tools-and-resources/fact-sheets/renewable-energy.html
https://eri.iu.edu/tools-and-resources/fact-sheets/state-of-resilience-preparing-indiana-for-
environmental-change.html
https://climate.nasa.gov/solutions/adaptation-mitigation/
Objectives:
1. Describe how energy policies such as carbon taxes work and how they might affect Indiana’s energy portfolio.
2. Explain the difference between mitigation and adaptation planning.
3. Understand the tools made available to local governments through the Environmental Resilience
Institute and how they help communities tackle climate change planning.
Key Topic 1: Factors Contributing to a Changing Climate
Sources:
https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/frequent-questions-about-climate-change-indicators#q1
https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/greenhouse-gases
https://climate.nasa.gov/causes/
https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
https://climate.nasa.gov/global-warming-vs-climate-change/
Objectives:
1. Define climate change and the process through which it occurs.
2. Describe the four main gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect and how water vapor plays a role in amplifying climate change.
3. Describe major energy sources and explain how each contributes to climate change.
4. Outline the EPA’s six categories of climate change indicators.
5. Describe the evidence for rapid climate change which points to human involvement as a key factor.
Key Topic 2: Human Health and the Climate
Sources:
https://eri.iu.edu/tools-and-resources/fact-sheets/extreme-heat-in-indiana.html
https://www.epa.gov/climatechange-science/frequently-asked-questions-about-climate-change#degree
https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/understanding-connections-between-climate-change-and-
human-health
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=healthtr
Objectives:
1. Understand how rising temperatures affect human health.
2. Describe those who are most at risk in a changing climate and why they are vulnerable.
3. Describe how air quality and climate change are linked and how it impacts human health.
4. Describe how rising temperatures are expected to impact insect populations and how that translates to human health risks
Key Topic 3: Farming and Climate Change
Sources:
https://ag.purdue.edu/climate/research/solutions/farming-for-a-better-climate/
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=agriculturetr
Objectives:
1. Understand how farming contributes to climate change.
2. Understand Purdue’s expected impacts of climate change on crops and yields.
3. Describe how soil management practices can benefit farmers and the environment.
4. Explain soil’s carbon storage capabilities.
5. Explain how rising temperatures can affect livestock.
Key Topic 4: Policies and Program for Adapting to a Changing Climate
Sources:
https://eri.iu.edu/tools-and-resources/fact-sheets/index.html
https://ag.purdue.edu/indianaclimate/energy-report/#energy_profile
https://eri.iu.edu/tools-and-resources/fact-sheets/renewable-energy.html
https://eri.iu.edu/tools-and-resources/fact-sheets/state-of-resilience-preparing-indiana-for-
environmental-change.html
https://climate.nasa.gov/solutions/adaptation-mitigation/
Objectives:
1. Describe how energy policies such as carbon taxes work and how they might affect Indiana’s energy portfolio.
2. Explain the difference between mitigation and adaptation planning.
3. Understand the tools made available to local governments through the Environmental Resilience
Institute and how they help communities tackle climate change planning.
Soil & Land UseReference Material & Learning Objectives
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Aquatic EcologyReference Material & Learning Objectives
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WildlifeReference Material & Learning Objectives
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ForestryReference Material & Learning Objectives
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