Chapter 26, Southern Great Plains

Climate change is degrading the air, lands, and waters that people in the Southern Great Plains rely on for economic, recreational, and cultural activities. These impacts compound existing burdens on those who have the fewest resources to prepare and adapt. People are adapting through nature-based solutions, reliance on Indigenous and local knowledges, and resilient infrastructure that enhances public health and the region's economy.

- From Chapter 26

This page is in draft form and is currently being reviewed by project partners. For more information about the creation and review process, please see the landing page for the NCA5 Educator's Guide.

Jump to:

  1. Information on using this guide
  2. Educational resources and guiding questions for this region
  3. CLEAN curated pathways to action for the region
  4. NCA5 non-regional chapter connections

Key Messages for the Southern Great Plains:

National Climate Assessment Art X Climate selections

Artist's statement: Texas and much of the Western United States have been experiencing climate change-induced severe drought. This site-specific piece focuses on our collective climate grief. "Keep It Together" conceptually wills climate change and the drought to end by literally tying cracked earth back together. I wanted this piece to convey the desperate situation that we are in by mimicking surgical sutures or stitches with red string and nails. If we must resort to tying our world back together, we have nothing.


Artist's statement: The Texas Blackland Prairies spans from North Texas to San Antonio. This ecosystem has been nearly destroyed by modern agriculture, urbanization of the land, and climate change, leaving less than 1% of the original ecosystem protected (some estimate only 0.64% remains). The current generation may be the last with the opportunity to preserve even small remnants of the once-extensive natural ecosystem. Unless action is taken, this essential prairie for the Central Texas region will be lost.


Educational resources and guiding questions aligned with the regional Key Messages:

Each Key Message features three guiding questions to help educators navigate these topics with students. Each guiding question includes example lessons and supporting videos. The lessons were taken from the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN) educational resources database. The videos were selected from reputable sources to support the lessons.

Key Message One: How We Live: Climate Change Is Degrading Lands, Waters, Culture, and Health

Climate change is beginning to alter how we live in the Southern Great Plains, putting us at risk from climate hazards that degrade our lands and waters, quality of life, health and well-being, and cultural interconnectedness. Many climate hazards are expected to become more frequent, intense, or prolonged; to broaden in spatial extent; and to result in more people experiencing costly, deadly, or stressful climate-related conditions. To address the growing risk, effective climate-resilient actions include implementing nature-based solutions; valuing Indigenous, traditional, and local knowledges; and infusing climate change solutions into community planning. Find out more about this key messagehere.

Guiding question one: How do Indigenous communities in the southern Great Plains integrate their cultural values and traditions into their responses to climate change challenges, and what lessons can be learned from their approaches to sustainability and resilience?

Guiding question two: How can climate-smart planning principles contribute to development that is more resilient to future impacts of climate change in the Southern Great Plains?

Guiding question three: Which climate-smart adaptation and mitigation responses could your community implement to respond to the hazards that you face now and in the future?

Key Message Two: How We Work: Climate Changes Are Creating Economic Challenges and Opportunities

As climate conditions change, businesses and industries across the Southern Great Plains are experiencing disruptions and losses in productivity and profits—but also new economic opportunities. In coming decades, warmer temperatures, more erratic precipitation, and sea level rise are expected to force widespread and costly changes in how we work. Businesses and industries have opportunities to harness their diverse knowledge, resources, and workers to develop products and services in climate mitigation technologies, adaptation strategies, and resilient design that will enhance the region's economy. Find out more about this key messagehere.

Guiding question one: What role can policymakers, educators, and community leaders play in facilitating the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient regional economy?

Guiding question two: Considering the transition towards renewable energy sources in the region, how is the energy industry evolving to address climate change concerns while maintaining economic stability and supporting local communities?

Guiding question three: What is just energy transition and what is needed to support this process?

Key Message Three: How We Play: Climate Extremes Are Endangering Sports, Recreation, and Leisure

Extreme climate-related events are negatively influencing how we play and participate in outdoor sport, recreation, and physical activities in the Southern Great Plains. Climate change is expected to increase heat-related illness and death, reduce outdoor physical activity, and decrease athletic performance. Individuals, communities, and sports organizations can adapt to these hazards through strategies such as modifying the timing, location, intensity, or monitoring of activities. Find out more about this key message here.

Guiding question one: As the availability of sports, recreation, and leisure opportunities changes due to climate impacts, how can the potential consequences for social connection, mental health, and physical well-being be proactively addressed?

Guiding question two: How is the outdoor recreation industry affected by climate change in the Southern Great Plains?

Guiding question three: What actions could your community take to create more resilient systems that enable outdoor recreation and sports to continue despite climate change impacts?

Key Message Four: How We Heal: Climate Change Is Exacerbating Existing Social and Environmental Disparities

Some neighborhoods and communities in the Southern Great Plains are suffering disproportionately from climate-related hazards because of long-standing marginalization, discrimination, and governmental policies. As a result, climate change will compound existing social and environmental burdens on the people, neighborhoods, and communities with the fewest resources to prepare and adapt. Our institutions and governments can play a role in improving outcomes for these people and places by adopting climate adaptation and hazard-mitigation practices and policies that prioritize social equity and justice, aim to reduce community risks, build resilience, and repair past injustices. Find out more about this key message here.

Guiding question one: Why are incorporating justice and equity principles into climate resilience strategies important for achieving community resilience?

Guiding question two: How can residents, businesses, organizations, and governments in the Southern Great Plains integrate principles of social stability, security, justice, and equity to create resilient climate adaptation strategies?

Guiding question three: Which neighborhoods and communities in your area are suffering disproportionately from climate-related hazards and what are the causes of that disproportionate impact?

Key Message Five: How We Serve: Climate Change Is Straining Public Infrastructure and Services

The institutions that serve our communities have been challenged to respond and adapt to more frequent and intense weather events. Without significant adaptation, climate change is expected to strain water supplies, transportation infrastructure, and emergency services across the Southern Great Plains. Actions that can enhance our community resilience include substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions, installing or retrofitting climate-resilient infrastructure, educating students and the public on climate change, and cultivating the capacity of faith- and volunteer-based aid organizations to assist hazard planning, response, and recovery. Find out more about this key message here.

Guiding question one: How has climate change affected infrastructure and services in the Southern Great Plains?

Guiding question two: What components should a climate adaptation plan have and what climate change mitigation and adaptation actions are already happening near you?

Guiding question three: How can residents, businesses, organizations, and governments in the Southern Great Plains integrate principles of social stability, security, justice, and equity to create resilient climate adaptation strategies?

Pathways to action for the Southern Great Plains*

*These selections were curated by CLEAN

The following actions and case studies highlight ideas for climate change adaptation and mitigation at multiple scales and are meant to support and inspire students and educators to take steps that address the challenges outlined in this chapter.

Action 1: Incorporating Wind Energy

Action 2: Conservation Agriculture

Action 3: Preparing for Drought

Action 4: Urban Greening

Looking for more ideas for climate change actions? Explore the National Climate Assessment chapters on adaptation (chapter 31) and mitigation (chapter 32).

National Climate Assessment Southern Great Plains Chapter Connections:

The national climate assessment includes multiple chapters on climate change-specific topics. The chapters and key messages offer ways to further engage with the NCA and find out more information related to the region.

 

Disclaimer: The National Climate Assessment regional resources for educators is written, edited, and moderated by each regional team of contributors. Posts reflect the views of the regional team themselves and not necessarily Climate.gov, NOAA and USGCRP.