Earth and Environmental Science · Year 12 · Climate Change and Future Earth · 4.º Período

Impacts of Climate Change on Earth Systems

Students assess the current and projected impacts of climate change on the biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Topics include sea-level rise, ocean acidification, and habitat loss.

TL;DR:Climate change is not just about rising temperatures; it is about the systemic transformation of Earth's spheres. Students investigate the 'cascading' impacts of a warming world, from the acidification of the oceans to the shifting of terrestrial biomes. In Australia, this includes studying the bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef, the increasing severity of bushfire seasons, and the threat of sea-level rise to coastal communities.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• ACSES103
• ACSES104

About This Topic

Climate change is not just about rising temperatures; it is about the systemic transformation of Earth's spheres. Students investigate the 'cascading' impacts of a warming world, from the acidification of the oceans to the shifting of terrestrial biomes. In Australia, this includes studying the bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef, the increasing severity of bushfire seasons, and the threat of sea-level rise to coastal communities.

The curriculum focuses on the chemical and physical changes, such as how increased CO2 absorption makes seawater more acidic, hindering the ability of corals and shellfish to build skeletons. They also look at how changing rainfall patterns affect Australian agriculture and biodiversity. This topic comes alive when students can physically model ocean acidification or participate in collaborative mapping of projected sea-level rise in their own local area.

Key Questions

1. How does ocean acidification affect marine calcifying organisms?
2. What are the consequences of melting polar ice caps on global sea levels?
3. How is climate change altering the distribution of terrestrial species?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Melting sea ice is the main cause of sea-level rise.

What to Teach Instead

Melting sea ice (like in the Arctic) doesn't raise sea levels much because it's already in the water. The main causes are the melting of land-based ice (Greenland and Antarctica) and the 'thermal expansion' of the ocean as it warms. Peer discussion of a 'glass of ice water' model helps clarify this.

Common Misconception

Ocean acidification means the ocean is becoming an acid.

What to Teach Instead

The ocean is slightly alkaline (pH ~8.1). Acidification means the pH is dropping (becoming less alkaline), not that it has become an acid. Using pH scale activities helps students understand that even a small shift in pH represents a massive change in chemistry for marine life.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle

Ocean Acidification Lab

Students place seashells in water with different pH levels (using vinegar to simulate acidity). They observe and record the rate of 'dissolution' over several days, connecting the results to the health of the Great Barrier Reef.

60 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk

Australia's Changing Biomes

Display maps showing the projected movement of climate zones (e.g., the 'tropicalisation' of NSW). Students move through the gallery to identify which native species are most at risk of losing their habitat and why.

45 min·Small Groups

Simulation Game

Sea-Level Rise Mapping

Using topographic maps of a local coastal town and 'flood' overlays, students identify which infrastructure (hospitals, schools, roads) will be underwater at 0.5m and 1.0m of sea-level rise, then discuss the social implications.

50 min·Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is ocean acidification called the 'other CO2 problem'?

While most CO2 stays in the atmosphere and causes warming, about 25-30% is absorbed by the oceans. This changes the water chemistry, making it harder for 'calcifying' organisms like corals, oysters, and some plankton to grow, which threatens the entire marine food web.

How does climate change affect Australian bushfires?

Climate change doesn't necessarily start more fires, but it creates 'fire weather', higher temperatures, lower humidity, and drier fuels. This leads to longer fire seasons and more intense, uncontrollable fires that can create their own weather systems (pyrocumulonimbus clouds).

How can active learning help students understand climate impacts?

Active learning, such as mapping sea-level rise or conducting acidification experiments, makes the global 'abstract' problem of climate change locally 'concrete.' When students see how their own coastline or a specific Australian ecosystem is affected, they engage more deeply with the science and the need for solutions.

What is 'thermal expansion' of the ocean?

As water heats up, the molecules move more and take up more space. This expansion of the ocean's volume is responsible for about one-third to one-half of the sea-level rise observed globally over the last century, independent of melting ice.