Title: TASK: Exploring climate change impacts in your neighborhood
Course: Project week - Leuphana-Copy > Section: What is renewable energy? (science focus)

We have all seen images of melting ice caps and distressed polar bears. But have you ever wondered how climate change is impacting your neighborhood right now and what its impacts are going to be in the future? You can find this out in the following tasks.

Below are six "research workshops" that focus on different areas affected by the changing climate. They all rely on a massive database of the world-renowned Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research and feature aggregated climate data from 1901-2010 and projections for the years 2011-2100. The database is available in German (http://www.klimafolgenonline-bildung.de/)

Task

Get together in groups and select one of these research workshops. Each workshop includes guiding questions and activities that help you research your topic. Once you have collected all research results, prepare a presentation (see notes below).

[fa-glyphicon-plus] Forest (research workshop 1)

People in Germany and the U.S. alike use forests as recreation areas as well as for forestry. What potential consequences does climate change have on our forests? What impacts might it have on forests as recreation areas? How might it change forestry?

You are an expert team for regional development and are in charge of researching the changing conditions of forests in your region in the next 50–100 years. For your research of the expected developments use the platform “Klimafolgen Online” (http://www.klimafolgenonline-bildung.de/) and other resources if necessary. (See list of resources below.)

Tasks:

Take the following research questions into consideration:

1. How are forests in your region used for tourism or as recreation areas?
2. How are forests in your region used for forestry?
3. What potential changes are likely to occur in your region in the next 50–100 years?

Divide the work between the members of your group.

Review your research findings critically and present each other’s findings within the group.

Further resources (in German):

- www.forstwirtschaft-in-deutschland.de (This website provides various information regarding the habitat “forest” and forestry in Germany.)

- BMEL: Nachhaltige Waldwirtschaft (This category of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s website deals with the topic of sustainable forestry.)

- BMEL: Klimawandel, Nachhaltigkeit (Extreme weather events in agriculture and forestry – What does the future hold, what has to be done? That is the topic of this article.)

- BMWI: Entwicklung des Tourismus (The German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy explains the estimated development of tourism up to the year 2030.)

[fa-info-circle] This material has been generously provided by the Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research / PIKee, www.pik-potsdam.de/pikee

[fa-glyphicon-plus] Agriculture (research workshop 2)

Corn is the most important crop in agriculture. Nowadays, there is the tendency to cultivate not only forage corn but also silage corn to use them in biogas plants for the generation of fuel and electric power.

You are employed on a farm in Brandenburg that has cultivated corn for human consumption for 50 years. Does it make sense for your farm to enter into the business of silage corn? Create materials for the managing board that serves as an aid for the decision.

Tasks:

Focus your research on the following tasks and guiding questions:

1. What importance does corn farming have in your region?
2. Visit http://maiskomitee.de/ and compare the economic importance of corn for human consumption and silage corn in Germany. What proportion of Germany’s total corn yield did corn for human consumption make up in 2014?
3. Have a look at the time period from 2016 to 2066 on the platform “KlimafolgenOnline-Bildung.de” (http://www.klimafolgenonline-bildung.de/). Estimate the values on the basis of the diagrams and calculate the change of corn yields in the federal states of Brandenburg and Bavaria in this time period (in percent). Compare the sustainability of silage corn in both states and evaluate in which state the cultivation of silage corn might be more profitable.

Divide the work between the members of your group.

Review your research findings critically and present each other’s findings within the group.

Further resources (in German):

- www.maiskomitee.de (Here you will find extensive information about the cultivation of corn.)

- PDF-Datei zu Silomais (This document provides additional information about the forage quality and the growing conditions of silage corn.)

- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing This article provides an overview on agriculture, forestry and fishing in Germany

- ISIP: Interaktive Prognosemodelle, Monitoringdaten und Empfehlungen “With weather-based forecast models for pests and diseases, you can calculate the occurrence of pathogens and periods with high infestation pressure. Infestation controls and recommendations from the plant protection services will also inform you about the current situation in your region. You can also use programs to calculate crop development and choose the most suitable tillage system.”

[fa-info-circle] This material has been generously provided by the Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research / PIKee, www.pik-potsdam.de/pikee

[fa-glyphicon-plus] Winter Tourism (research workshop 3)

For winter tourism it is highly important when and for how long a region gets snow. However, climate change causes rising temperatures so that the guarantee of snow declines in many places. Winter tourism suffers from this development already.

You inherit an old hotel in Oberwiesenthal (Ore Mointains / Erzgebirge) from your aunt. It has always been your dream to run your own ski school. Now you have the opportunity, but does it pay off to open a ski school in Oberwiesenthal with regard to the progressive climate change in the next 50 years?

Tasks:

Focus your research on the following tasks and guiding questions:

1. Find the skiing area Oberwiesenthal on the platform “KlimafolgenOnline-Bildung.de” (http://www.klimafolgenonline-bildung.de/).
2. Which parameters on the platform help you to determine the guarantee of snow for the skiing area?
3. How will the relevant parameters develop in the next 30 resp. 50 years?

Divide the work between the members of your group.

Review your research findings critically and present each other’s findings within the group.

Further resources (in German):

- www.alpenverein.de (The German Alpine Club (“Deutsche Alpenverein, DAV) describes future developments of Bavarian skiing areas in the Alps. You will find a link to a study on the impacts of climate change for those skiing areas.)

- Klimawandel im Alpenraum (In this brochure the Deutsche Alpenverein depicts the consequences and challenges regarding climate change.)

- Welt.de: Der Erhalt von Skigebieten (This article deals with the preservation of skiing areas.)

- Spiegel.de: Kunstschnee als Zukunft (This article reports on the likely deterioration of German skiing areas.)

- The Ski industry and Climate Change (This TED Talk focuses on whether skiing tourism is future-compliant.)

- www.umweltbundesamt.de (Germany‘s Federal Environmental Agency discusses adaptation strategies for the winter tourism.)

- Bericht zur Anpassungsstrategie (The monitoring report of German adaptation strategies regarding climate change deals with the tourism industry starting on page 192.)

[fa-info-circle] This material has been generously provided by the Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research / PIKee, www.pik-potsdam.de/pikee

[fa-glyphicon-plus] Viticulture (research workshop 4)

Climate change causes the fact that vine cultivation is becoming increasingly attractive in Germany. One important factor is the rising quality of wine due to favorable climate conditions. This development results in a higher demand for German wine. Therefore, wine-growers search for new areas of cultivation and some wine connoisseurs think about entering this economic sector. So does your uncle. He asks you to research how the climatic conditions for viticulture in Germany will develop within the next 50 years.

Tasks:

Focus your research on the following tasks and guiding questions:

1. Research the ideal climatic conditions for viticulture. How do the possibilities for wine cultivation in Germany change due to climate change? What is the situation like in your region?
2. Has there been an expansion of vineyards in Germany since the year of 1990? Research online using the document: http://www.deutscheweine.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Website/Service/Downloads/Statistik_2015-2016.pdf
3. Can an expansion of vineyards be expected due to the changing climate conditions in the future? What might this potential development look like? Research for the development and the parameters using the platform “KlimafolgenOnline-Bildung.de” (http://www.klimafolgenonline-bildung.de/).
4. Take a look at the German city of Delmenhorst on “KlimafolgenOnline-Bildung.de”. What development can you see for viticulture in this region over the next 30 to 50 years? Does the shift of the vine blossom improve the preconditions for wine cultivation?

Further resources (in German):

- Deutscher Wein, Statistik (In this document you will find statistics on various topics like vineyards, wine production, wine import and export, etc.)

- Riesling wine, holding out between pesticides and climate change (This article discusses climate-induced new risks due to pests in viniculture.)

- 3sat: Aufbruch im Weinberg (This article incl. video deals with the advantages and disadvantages of climate change for wine cultivation in Germany.)

[fa-info-circle] This material has been generously provided by the Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research / PIKee, www.pik-potsdam.de/pikee

[fa-glyphicon-plus] Water (research workshop 5)

A major challenge associated with climate change is the water supply. Especially the Eastern part of Germany will suffer from droughts and water shortages due to the increasing climate change.

You are an intern at “eins energie in sachsen” in Chemnitz. Your manager is responsible for developing adaptation strategies regarding climate change to ensure the drinking water supply in the city. It is your task to assist him in the project by collecting data on the development of water availability in Chemnitz.

Tasks:

Focus your research on the following tasks and guiding questions:

1. Research the fresh water availability in Germany over the next 50 years using the platform “KlimafolgenOnline-Bildung.de” (http://www.klimafolgenonline-bildung.de/). Assume that water availability is dependent on the parameter groundwater recharge.
2. How will the situation in the region of Chemnitz develop?
3. Summarize your findings briefly (keywords).
4. The water consumption in Germany decreased over the last 20 years. Is that also the case in the region of Chemnitz? Calculate by what percentage the water consumption dropped in Saxony between the years 1992 and 2013. Additionally, calculate the percentage change for Germany as a whole. Compare and discuss potential reasons for the divergent results. You will find the necessary values for the calculations on the following websites:

https://www.heizsparer.de/spartipps/wasser-sparen/wasserverbrauch

https://www.umwelt.sachsen.de/wasser-und-gewaesser-30600.html

Further resources (in German and English):

- umweltbundesamt.de: Wasser (The Federal Environmental Agency in Germany provides information about the climate impact in different sectors and regions in Germany. This link leads you to the sections water, high water and coastal protection.)

- swp-potsdam.de: Fragen und Antworten (“Die Stadtwerke Potsdam“ (Potsdam’s department of public works) answers questions regarding the topic drinking water.)

- umweltbundesamt.de: Wassersparen (Here you will find facts, background information and advice from the Federal Environmental Agency regarding the topic: Saving water in private households.)

[fa-info-circle] This material has been generously provided by the Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research / PIKee, www.pik-potsdam.de/pikee

[fa-glyphicon-plus] Health (research workshop 6)

It has been shown that climate change has negative impacts on people’s health as well. An increasing number of hot and humid days can cause cardiovascular problems, for example. Children, elderly and sick people and those in need of care are particularly at risk. This aspect needs to be considered in planning processes of schools, hospitals and nursing homes.

At your school’s physical education teachers’ conference, the teachers discuss potential adaptations for sports classes. As the elected students’ representative of your school you are invited to the conference and asked to contribute ideas.

Tasks:

Focus your research on the following tasks and guiding questions:

1. Research the development of hot and humid days in Germany up to the year 2030 using the platform “KlimafolgenOnline-Bildung.de” (http://www.klimafolgenonline-bildung.de/). Find the number of hot days for your federal state in the current decade (2010-2020) and for the following decade. Calculate the percentage change. Additionally, search for further resources (e.g. newspaper articles, online sources) that deal with the topic.
2. Name the regions that are particularly affected by hot and humid days. What is the situation respectively in your region?
3. Research the health risks from heat and humidity and discuss them in your group.
4. What are the potential adaptation strategies for physical education classes at your school?
5. Summarize your findings briefly (keywords).

Further resources (in German):

- www.umweltbundesamt.de (The Federal Environmental Agency in Germany provides information about the impacts of climate-induced heat waves on health conditions.)

- www.bildungsserver.de (“Der Hamburger Bildungsserver“ visualizes the direct and indirect consequences of climate change for people’s health.)

- Heat illness in athletes (This video deals with the topic of heat stress and health.)

- Broschüre zu Klimafolgen (This brochure focuses on health consequences of climate change for vulnerable groups.)

[fa-info-circle] This material has been generously provided by the Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research / PIKee, www.pik-potsdam.de/pikee

You can proceed as follows:

1. Create an outline.
2. Summarize your results in short texts.
3. Visualize your findings/ information in graphs, maps and pictures (if possible).
4. Use the platform “KlimafolgenOnline-Bildung.de” to visualize developments.

Present your group’s research findings in class, for example as a/an …

- presentation (with Prezi or PowerPoint)
- newspaper article
- interview with an expert
- video (documentary)
- blog post

[fa-database] You can collect your presentations in the database Learner Texts.

Optional

Can you find any information about the situation/possible consequences of climate change for your topic (forestry/agriculture/...) in your partner school’s region?
You can start your research from here:
General information about climate change impacts by state
State Fact Sheets
U.S. Global Change Research Program: Regions & Topics
U.S. Global Change Research Program: Resources, Data & Multimedia
U.S. National Climate Assessment
Forest
U.S. Forest Service
Health
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture

[fa-info-circle] The materials in this task including all research workshops and the platform KlimafolgenOnline have been designed and generously provided by the PIKee project at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Potsdam, Germany.