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Does Climate Change Cause Extreme Weather?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4U4H5xLCoM&feature=youtu.be

Above the Noise, KQED

This video provides a good introduction to the field of attribution science. Beginning with an introduction to weather and climate, it describes how severe weather might be linked to climate change and the science behind attribution studies. It gives a good explanation behind how scientists use climate models to study whether severe weather events were influenced by climate change. It also discusses the question, "does climate change cause extreme weather?" and provides an introduction to the concepts of probability, causation, and correlation in regards to attribution science (how much climate change influenced an event verses normal variations in weather).

Video length is 4:51 min.

Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»


Grade Level

Topics

Climate Literacy

This Video builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Notes From Our Reviewers The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

Teaching Tips

  • This video could be used for both engagement, an activity (with data exploration), or an extension activity.
  • The video can also be connected to a real-world example of an extreme weather event that is attributed to climate change. Educators can ask students to reflect on the causation and correlation between global climate change and the frequency of extreme weather.

About the Content

  • The video explains how attribution science helps scientists understand the connection between extreme weather events and climate change through the use of climate models. A general overview is presented and so are references to events but concepts are not explained in detail in this short video.
  • Comments from expert scientist:
    Scientific strengths:
    - Explains that climate and weather are different and how they are different (timescales)
    - Explains that climate causes higher sea level and warmer waters, and those factors lead to stronger hurricanes and heavier rainfall
    - Clearly demonstrates what "attribution science" is
    - States that the scientific consensus is that if climate change continues at its current rate, extreme weather will only get more extreme

About the Pedagogy

  • The animations are well done and the video format allows for students with low reading levels to gain the information.
  • The video could be used in classrooms to introduce students to the topic of attribution.
  • The video is relatable: a man and woman are talking about these concepts using a conversational format.
  • Links are provided to source material as well as to teacher guides and other educational material from the parent organization (PBS). The video description contains annotations and links to supporting resources.
  • The video itself does not allow for an in-depth investigation of the topic, but would provide an engaging activity and the links included would help teachers who want to find more activities and resources on the topic of attribution.

Technical Details/Ease of Use

  • Video is viewable online and can be easily accessed on YouTube.
  • The pace of video can be slowed.
  • Transcript and captions are available for the video.

Related URLs These related sites were noted by our reviewers but have not been reviewed by CLEAN

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/major-report-some-extreme-weather-can-only-be-blamed-on-humans/
Entered the Collection: August 2018 Last Reviewed: July 2018

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