Climate+Change+and+Population+Impact+on+Education


 * __NORTH__** __**AMERICA**__

Although most of us see “population growth” and “climate change” as separate issues, there is a strong connection between the two. In order to understand these issues, they must be addressed at the same time.


 * Did You Know?? **


 * The world’s population has greatly increased in the past few centuries.
 * There are many reasons people migrate to North America
 * The U.S. recorded its warmest year on record in 2006.
 * The sea level is rising as the sea ice is melting.
 * The third most populous country in the world is the U.S.
 * Due to population growth, household size has become smaller.
 * Many people are looking for new opportunities and freedom
 * Some are looking for a stable environment
 * Some would argue that population change and climate changes go hand in hand.
 * The more people there are, the more houses go up, more trash is acquired, we go through more resources
 * The affects of climate change relates to people’s health.

Severe weather events, such as rainstorms and hurricanes, are becoming more frequent in heavily-populated and fast-growing areas. The main effects include less available freshwater, habitat and biodiversity loss. Due to the rising sea level, people living in the coastal and the coastal ecosystems like salt marshes are affected.

//**IMPACT ON EDUCATION**//

Since climate change causes direct and indirect health effects, schools may see a lower attendance rate in these heavily-populated areas.

Schools in coastal areas may interact with more migrating families.

Students will be taught how to use natural resources effectively and efficiently.

Educators must demonstrate how students can adapt to climate change for the future.

The increase in population often over crowds schools, raising class sizes.

Students must understand the essential connection be­tween human population and social, political, and ecological issues.

//References//

Borgstrom, G. Retrieved from http://education.nationalgeographic.com/archive/xpeditions/standards/09/index.html?ar_a=1

Field, C.B., L.D. Mortsch,, M. Brklacich, D.L. Forbes, P. Kovacs, J.A. Patz, S.W. Running and M.J. Scott, 2007: North America. Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson, Eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 617-652.

Markham, V. (2008). U.S. population, energy & climate change. Center for Environment and Population. Retrieved from www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/overpopulation/climate/pdfs/USPopulationEnergyandClimateChange.pdf

Your Knowledge Space on Climate Change. Retrieved from http://know.climateofconcern.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=article&id=94