Climate Change in Saskatchewan: a Panel Discussion

THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE SASKATACHEWAN – GRADE 12

Climate Change in Saskatchewan: A Panel Discussion

Lesson Overview

In this lesson students will engage in a role-play to analyze the potential impacts of climate changein Saskatchewan. They will assess the risks and benefits associated with these changes and propose policy recommendations.

Grade Level

Grade 12

Time Required

Two forty minute classes.

Curriculum Connection

Saskatchewan

Social 30 Unit 5: Globalization

Additional Resources, Materials and Equipment Required

• Canadian Geographic/NRTEEA Changing Climate poster-map
• Role-Play Instructions
• A Changing Climate poster-map Summary – Anticipated Effects – Student Activity Sheet
• Student Access to computers and the Internet

Websites:

National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) – Climate Prosperity

Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative - SaskAdapt

• Analyst Role Cards - Attached
• Government Representative Role Cards - Attached
• Suggested Assessment Rubric - Attached

Main Objective

The goal of this lesson is for students to become aware of the potential risks and benefits of climate change to the province of Saskatchewan.They will make recommendations to mitigate the risks and enhance the benefits of these changes and present their findings to a panel.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Summarize the impact of climate change on southern and northern areas of Saskatchewan using the Canadian Geographic/NRTEEA Changing Climateposter-map as secondary source of information;
• Prepare a list of potential risks and benefits of climate change toSaskatchewan;
• Develop a list of actions recommended to counteract the risks and enhance the benefits of climate change to Saskatchewan;
• Consult and cite additional references to create a list of recommendations;
• Present, with the support of visual and multimedia resources, their findings to a panel.

The Lesson

The Lesson

Introduction

Lesson Development

Conclusion

Lesson Extension

• Prepare a national summit in a similar format with analysts and government departments from all provinces and territories to discuss the impacts and make recommendations for the country.

• Design advertising materials that promote actions to take advantage of the potential benefits of climate change for the province of Saskatchewan based on recommendations presented to the panel.Remind students that beneficial impacts will still require investment and adjustments in practices, choices, and behaviours; they are not cost-free.

Assessment of Student Learning

Add criteria to the Suggested Rubric and assess each section of the lesson.

Further Reading

Climate Prosperity thematic module in the Canadian Atlas Online:

National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) web site:

Link to Canadian National Standards for Geography

Essential Element#4: Human Systems

• Global economic interdependence (e.g. regional specialization, trade, transnationalism, multinationals)
• Economic development by world regions, country and regions within countries

Essential Element#5: Environment and Society

• Global effects of human modification
• Environmental issues (e.g. global warming)

Geographic Skill #2: Acquiring Geographic Information

• Systematically locate and gather geographic information from a variety of primary and secondary sources.
• Systematically assess the value and use of geographic information.

Geographic Skill #4: Analyzing Geographic Information

• Make inferences and draw conclusions from maps and other geographic representations.

Role-Play Instructions

Policy Analyst Role:

Assume you are a policy analyst hired by the Saskatchewan government to prepare a briefing for the government departments potentially affected by climate change. To prepare your recommendations, you must do the following:

• Summarize the anticipated effects of climate change that will likely impact Saskatchewan using the Canadian Geographic/NRTEEA Changing Climate poster-map.
• Summarize the key ideas from the NRTEE Climate Prosperity document.

• Research related agencies and websites directly applicable to your government department for more specific background information, existing policies,framework and helpful data.
• Prepare a resource list of references for each source that you consult.
• Present findings to a “panel” of government ministers in charge of Environment, Health, Industry, Municipal Affairs and Infrastructure.
• The presentation should include written summaries, supporting visuals and multi-media(pictures, charts and graphs, maps, etc.) that outline the following key ideas:

• Current impacts of extreme weather events (floods, droughts, etc.) to the people, environment, and economy of Saskatchewan
• Anticipated effects of climate change;
• Potential risks to the province of Saskatchewanand recommended actions to mitigate them;
• Potential benefits for the province of Saskatchewanand recommended actions to enhance them;
• A summary of the overall threat/gain for Saskatchewandue to climate change;
• A list of references consulted.

Panel members will have an opportunity to ask questions pertaining to recommendations based on their portfolio.

Government Department Role:

Assume you are a panel member from one of the government departments assigned to you. Prepare possible rebuttal questions for the policy analysts about the potential risks and benefits of climate change to your government department. You will need to be familiar with the Canadian Geographic/NRTEEA Changing Climate poster-map and be aware of related concerns specific to your department.

THE CANADIAN ATLAS ONLINE SASKATACHEWAN – GRADE 12

A Changing Climate poster-map Summary – Anticipated Effects

Student Activity Sheet

Analyst Role Cards

Assume you are a policy analyst hired by the government of Saskatchewan to propose recommendations for action in order to prepare them for any possible impacts of climate change. You will report to the department responsible for theEnvironmentand must include the following information as part of your presentation to the panel:

• A brief summary of the anticipated effects of climate change that relate to this department.
• A list of possible risks and benefits and the recommended actions you propose the government and/or the private sector take to help mitigate and/or enhance these changes.
• An overall evaluation of the impact of climate change for the province and the department in particular.
• A list of reliable references you consulted to prepare your presentation that they could consult for their decision-making.

Assume you are a policy analyst hired by the government of Saskatchewan to propose recommendations for action in order to prepare them for any possible impacts of climate change. You will report to the department responsible forHealthand must include the following information as part of your presentation to the panel:

• A brief summary of the anticipated effects of climate change that relate to this department.
• A list of possible risks and benefits and the recommended actions you propose the government and/or the private sector take to help mitigate and/or enhance these changes.
• An overall evaluation of the impact of climate change for the province and the department in particular.
• A list of reliable references you consulted to prepare your presentation that they could consult for their decision-making.

Assume you are a policy analyst hired by the government of Saskatchewan to propose recommendations for action in order to prepare them for any possible impacts of climate change. You will report to the department responsible forIndustryand must include the following information as part of your presentation to the panel:

• A brief summary of the anticipated effects of climate change that relate to this department.
• A list of possible risks and benefits and the recommended actions you propose the government and/or the private sector take to help mitigate and/or enhance these changes.
• An overall evaluation of the impact of climate change for the province and the department in particular.
• A list of reliable references you consulted to prepare your presentation that they could consult for their decision-making.

Assume you are a policy analyst hired by the government of Saskatchewan to propose recommendations for action in order to prepare them for any possible impacts of climate change. You will report to the department responsible forMunicipal Affairsand must include the following information as part of your presentation to the panel:

• A brief summary of the anticipated effects of climate change that relate to this department.
• A list of possible risks and benefits and the recommended actions you propose the government and/or the private sector take to help mitigate and/or enhance these changes.
• An overall evaluation of the impact of climate change for the province and the department in particular.
• A list of reliable references you consulted to prepare your presentation that they could consult for their decision-making.

Assume you are a policy analyst hired by the government of Saskatchewan to propose recommendations for action in order to prepare them for any possible impacts of climate change. You will report to the department responsible forInfrastructureand must include the following information as part of your presentation to the panel:

• A brief summary of the anticipated effects of climate change that relate to this department.
• A list of possible risks and benefits and the recommended actions you propose the government and/or the private sector take to help mitigate and/or enhance these changes.
• An overall evaluation of the impact of climate change for the province and the department in particular.
• A list of reliable references you consulted to prepare your presentation that they could consult for their decision-making.

Government Representative Role Cards

Assume you are a representative with the government department responsible for theEnvironment. You are part of a panel that will hear recommendations for action to prepare your department for any possible impacts of climate change. You must prepare for the hearing by conducting this research:

• A brief summary of the anticipated effects of climate change that relate to your department.
• A list of possible risks and benefits and the recommended actions you propose the government and/or the private sector take to help mitigate and/or enhance these changes.
• An overall evaluation of the impact of climate change for the province and your department in particular.
• A list of potential questions you might ask the policy analysts.
• A list of reliable references you consulted to prepare you for this panel hearing.

Assume you are a representative with the government department responsible for Health. You are part of a panel that will hear recommendations for action to prepare your department for any possible impacts of climate change. You must prepare for the hearing by conducting this research:

• A brief summary of the anticipated effects of climate change that relate to your department.
• A list of possible risks and benefits and the recommended actions you propose the government and/or the private sector take to help mitigate and/or enhance these changes.
• An overall evaluation of the impact of climate change for the province and your department in particular.
• A list of potential questions you might ask the policy analysts.
• A list of reliable references you consulted to prepare you for this panel hearing.

Assume you are a representative with the government department responsible for Industry. You are part of a panel that will hear recommendations for action to prepare your department for any possible impacts of climate change. You must prepare for the hearing by conducting this research:

• A brief summary of the anticipated effects of climate change that relate to your department.
• A list of possible risks and benefits and the recommended actions you propose the government and/or the private sector take to help mitigate and/or enhance these changes.
• An overall evaluation of the impact of climate change for the province and your department in particular.
• A list of potential questions you might ask the policy analysts.
• A list of reliable references you consulted to prepare you for this panel hearing

Assume you are a representative with the government department responsible for Municipal Affairs You are part of a panel that will hear recommendations for action to prepare your department for any possible impacts of climate change. You must prepare for the hearing by conducting this research:

• A brief summary of the anticipated effects of climate change that relate to your department.
• A list of possible risks and benefits and the recommended actions you propose the government and/or the private sector take to help mitigate and/or enhance these changes.
• An overall evaluation of the impact of climate change for the province and your department in particular.
• A list of potential questions you might ask the policy analysts.
• A list of reliable references you consulted to prepare you for this panel hearing.

Assume you are a representative with the government department responsible for Infrastructure. You are part of a panel that will hear recommendations for action to prepare your department for any possible impacts of climate change. You must prepare for the hearing by conducting this research:

• A brief summary of the anticipated effects of climate change that relate to your department.
• A list of possible risks and benefits and the recommended actions you propose the government and/or the private sector take to help mitigate and/or enhance these changes.
• An overall evaluation of the impact of climate change for the province and your department in particular.
• A list of potential questions you might ask the policy analysts.
• A list of reliable references you consulted to prepare you for this panel hearing.

Suggested Assessment Rubric