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The Big Picture

Do you understand the difference between weather and climate? The weather is what is happening at any given time: it is snowing, it is sunny, it is drizzling rain. It is 42 degrees. The climate is an average of the temperature collected over many years that describes the general conditions of a location. That means that we look at weather reports from a long time ago up to today and use math and science to determine what kind of weather to expect for the place we are studying. If you expect it to be warm and sunny in Hawaii because it always is, you are thinking about climate. As citizen scientists it is very important that we learn the difference between what we perceive and think we remember about past weather, and what has been recorded as data. We can also be a part of that data collecting, and study our own weather for the benefit of others.

	Photo by Melissa Ludtke, Sprouts of Hope, Roots & Shoots Activity: Exploring Climate Change and Public Perceptions   Activity 1:  “Where in the World is Carbon”  The activity in Explore More provides a great introduction to the chemical Carbon Dioxide and some of its origins. Objectives: Explain the concept of 'sources' and 'sinks' as they relate to CO2, use an indicator solution (BTB) to reveal the presence of CO2 and understand the differences between animal and fossil fuel sources of global CO2. Science Skills: Collecting Data, Measuring, Summarizing Life Skills: Critical thinking, wise use of resources Preparation Activities Review the activity linked in “Explore More.”  Collect materials or check to see if they can be borrowed from your Extension Office.   Activity 2 : Measuring Your Carbon Footprint Objective: Use online tools to make an estimation of personal carbon footprint Science Skills: Measure, Use Numbers and Tools, Interpret Findings Preparation Activities: Review  Carbon Calculators in Explore More and chose one to use with group There are several good websites in Explore More and tools to help you estimate your carbon footprint, and they each vary depending on how accurate you want to be.  Why not compare your answer between sites?   Activity 3: Climate Change Survey Have the youth explore public opinion based on the perceptions of locals regarding climate and weather. Ask the youth to make sure that at least ½ of their interviewees are over 40 years old. It will be important youth can adequately explain the difference between weather and climate before delivering this survey to others. Ask the Right Questions: Have the team pool their results. Decide how to compile the responses. Are there patterns in responses? Do variables of age, occupation or time in the area appear to affect perceptions? How does the way we categorize our data effect how it is interpreted by others?

 

 

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Explore More

“Where in the World is Carbon Dioxide?”
- Teacher Guide
- Student Guide

Carbon Calculator
http://www.b-e-f.org/carbon

Calculator

What is Carbon, why does it effect global warming?
http://climate.nasa.gov/kids

http://www.climatehotmap.org

Western Regional Climate Center
http://www.wrcc.dri.edu

 

It's All Connected

If you would like to share your organization's expertise in this area with 4-H youth, please contact Michael Wallace, 4-H Extension Educator at: mlwallace@wsu.edu

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