In this podcast, students will learn that the oceans have mitigated the effects of climate change by absorbing extra heat and carbon from the atmosphere, but that this has taken a toll on marine ecosystems.
Some of the negative impacts discussed include dead zones, species migrations towards the poles, and coral reef bleaching.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The hosts speak with many experts in the field of ocean research and conservation.
The podcast ends on a hopeful note, reminding us that if we act now, it is not too late to prevent some of the worst outcomes for our oceans.
Additional Prerequisites
The ocean-related content ends at 22 minutes, 52 seconds and the remaining segment is about two recent news stories related to climate change.
It ends with an ad for another BBC podcast.
Differentiation
If students live in a community near the coast, they can research how their local ocean ecosystems are impacted by climate change and if there are any conservation efforts underway.
Cross-curricular connections can be made with economics classes by focusing on the impact of warming oceans on the fishing industry or the communities that rely on fishing and eco-tourism.
Civics classes can explore the role of governments and international agreements in protecting the vast areas of open ocean.
Additionally, connections can be made with chemistry classes by investigating ocean acidification, why oceans absorb carbon and heat, and why warmer water holds less oxygen.
This podcast highlights the impact of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems, including corals and other aquatic species. The ocean absorbs nearly 93% of heat and a large proportion of atmospheric CO2. On that account, the ocean becomes warmer and acidic, creating a dead zone in some parts. This is already causing coral bleaching, threatening life below water and impacting fishing livelihoods. This resource has no misconception in data and is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Science
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
HS.ESS3.1 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
HS.ESS3.5 Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth’s systems.
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
7.LS2.4 Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
7.LS2.5 Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
HS.LS2.7 Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
Social Sciences
Geography (K-12)
HS.40 Use geographic data to analyze the interconnectedness of physical and human regional systems (such as a river valley and culture, water rights/use in regions, choice/impact of settlement locations) and their interconnectedness to global communities.
HS.48 Determine the influence of long-term climate change and variability on human migration, settlement patterns, resource use, and land uses at local-to-global scales.
HS.49 Evaluate the consequences of human-made and natural catastrophes on global trade, politics, and human migration.
