I am fully aware of the effects of climate change. If not, I hope you find this introductory guide helpful. The subject is critical.

There are three levels through which the effects can be discussed with the students.

The first is through writing, increasing the information they have about what is going on. The recently released 3,000-page report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is based on research from 234 scientists around the world. He describes climate change as a “code red” for humanity. Every teacher, student and parent should read a summary.

The Earth is getting so hot that, within a decade, temperatures will likely exceed a level of warming that world leaders have sought to prevent. “It’s just guaranteed to get worse,” said co-author Linda Mearns, senior climatologist at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research.

In three scenarios, the world will likely rise more than 3.6 degrees from pre-industrial times – with heat waves, droughts and torrential rains much worse – unless there are big reductions. shows.

Then there are the extinctions of wild species. This process is devastating. Worldwide, some 902 species have been documented as extinct. Recently, 22 more birds, fish and other species were declared extinct by the US government. Many scientists warn the earth is in an “extinction crisis” with flora and fauna disappearing at 1,000 times the historical rate.

The link between the extinction and the destruction of our natural world is essential. The rate is accelerating, moving about 1,000 times faster than natural rates before humans emerged.

Nearly 3 billion birds have disappeared in North America since 1970, reducing pollination of food crops. In India, thousands of people have died of rabies because the population of vultures that feed on garbage is rapidly declining, resulting in a huge increase in the number of wild dogs eating leftover food in the absence of the birds.

We are a complex ecosystem in which the survival of our species depends on the functioning of the entire system. All species, animals or plants are essential to our survival. We are already paying the price.

In her novel “Once There Were Wolves”, Charlotte McConaghy describes how part of the Scottish Highlands was burned to eliminate wolves. This led to a proliferation of deer which ate grass as it appeared and unbalanced nature in the area, resulting in the loss of other wildlife and plants.

The documentary film “Coextinction” powerfully captures how it is happening in our oceans and the website has a helpful “Take Action” section.

The second way for adolescents to see the impact of climate change is to understand their first-hand experiences, such as being affected by forest fires, hit by a hurricane, or the devastating effects of drought.

The third way, the indirect experience, is also effective. While you can explain to students how plastics affect our oceans, showing them the widely available streaming documentary “The Story of Plastics” brings the threat to life.

The film follows the life cycle of plastic from oil and gas extraction until it ends up as waste in the ocean. It reveals how global industries have systematically marketed more and more plastic that the world cannot handle or turn into anything useful. The website is full of ideas to guide teachers in using them with students.

Combining this with a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a whale watching excursion, or a visit to one of our wildlife-rich national parks, delivers an educational punch that takes this home to a whole new level. intestinal level. It is natural to feel deeply saddened by the beauty of the wildlife and the increasing human-caused extinctions.

Feeling the impact can be the most important step for all of us, not just teens. It’s better than thinking about it. It’s happening now, not in an imaginary future.

Writing this is painful, so I can understand the desperation and anxiety that goes with it. Next month, I look forward to writing about the exciting efforts to combat it.

The growing youth activism against climate change gives me hope.