Climate ChangeLesson # 5 – Social and Economic Effects of Climate Change (8.3 of

Textbook)

Economics BackgroundEconomic System

The organized way in which a country or region sets up activities related to how goods and services are produced, distributed, and consumed.

Production – using raw materials to make the products

Distribution – packaging and shipping goods to stores

Consumers – people who buy the products and use them.

Economics BackgroundProduction and Distribution of Goods

People used to produce their own crops, goods, and clothing, but since the Industrial Revolution, we have found it more convenient to mass-produce and sell from a specific area.

This means we need to use natural resources for raw materials, energy to run machines, and transportation to deliver materials to where they will be made.

This also means we need to make packaging and shipping containers, and use trucks and fuel to deliver the goods to stores where they can be sold.

Economics BackgroundConsuming Goods

We are a society of consumers – we tend to want the newest and best items for sale.

Think about what you want for Christmas – do you have the item already but want an upgrade? Is it something you need? Can you go without?

Economic Impacts of Climate Change

What does production, distribution, and consumption of goods have to do with climate change?

Society BackgroundA society is a group of people who have a distinctive way of life and economic system.

Developed countries live in a way that differs greatly from developing countries.

G8 – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the USA and Russia – we enjoy the highest standards of living in the world, and use more energy per capita than those who live elsewhere.

Developed vs. DevelopingPeople who live in developing countries are the

most vulnerable to the effects of climate change – why?

Societal Impacts of Climate Change

1. Food Warming will make it harder to grow crops in tropical

countries Reduction in crop would lead to food shortages in

developing countries Rising food prices in developed countries

2. Drinkable Water Drought will make it more difficult to obtain water Shrinking glaciers will limit fresh water supply in

Southeast Asia and western South America Flooding could contaminate freshwater supplies in low-

lying areas

Societal Impacts3. Infrastructure Breakdown

Equipment, buildings and roadsSevere weather events can damage

infrastructure:EnergyDistributionCommunicationTransportation

Societal Impacts4. Disease

Malaria and other tropical diseases could spread as climates become warmer.

5. Population Displacement If land is flooded or becomes

desert, people will be forced to move in order to meet their basic needs.

World conflicts for space and food

Positive Feedback LoopsA sequence of events that cycles

back to one of the earlier events and enhances the outcome. (Positive, in this case, means enhanced, not “good”)

Example 1: WildfiresDestroy forestsNo longer a carbon sink, so

releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Increase in the greenhouse effect causing warming

Drier conditions cause more fires

Feedback LoopsExample 2: Ice and

Snow MeltIce and snow have a

high albedoWhen they melt, darker

surfaces absorb 90% more radiation

Darker water absorbs radiation and warms up

More ice around it meltsWater cycle occurs

quicker as well

Positive Effects of Climate Change?

In Ontario, warmer temperatures coming earlier means longer growing seasons for crops

Also can now grow crops we did not used to be able to grow before

Northwest Passage in the Arctic opens up as a possible transport route for shipping goods which is significantly shorter than other routes which will save money and reduce fuel consumption

HomeworkTextbook Page 330 # 2-8, 10-16

“How to Save the World from…Us…” Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yx8kGyeOyY

Mosquitos & Malaria Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKyrVzvjHWw(2:45 min onward)