PRESENTATION – CLIMATE CHANGE: SCIENCE, IMPACTS & ACTION (Slide + Speaker Notes)
Title Slide
- Climate Change: Science, Impacts & Action
- Presenter: [Seu Nome]
- Duration: 45–60 minutes
- Target audience: High school / introductory college
Learning Objectives
- Explain the greenhouse effect and main drivers of climate change.
- Identify key impacts on ecosystems, human societies, and economies.
- Explore mitigation and adaptation strategies at individual, community, and policy
levels.
Slide 1: What is Climate Change?
- Long-term changes in average weather patterns over decades to centuries.
- Distinguish between weather (short-term) and climate (long-term trends).
Speaker Notes: Use simple analogies (e.g., weather = daily mood; climate =
personality over years).
Slide 2: The Greenhouse Effect
- Greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, water vapor) trap heat in the atmosphere.
- Anthropogenic emissions from fossil fuel combustion and land-use change increase
greenhouse gas concentrations.
Speaker Notes: Explain radiation balance in plain terms and emphasize human
contribution since the Industrial Revolution.
Slide 3: Evidence of a Changing Climate
- Rising global mean temperatures, shrinking glaciers, earlier snowmelt, sea-level
rise.
- Increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves, heavy rainfall events, and some
storms.
Speaker Notes: Provide visual examples students may have seen (local records, news
stories).
Slide 4: Impacts on Natural Systems
- Ecosystems: species range shifts, coral bleaching, and biodiversity loss.
- Oceans: acidification and warming affect marine life and fisheries.
Speaker Notes: Brief case study: coral reefs and temperature-induced bleaching.
Slide 5: Human & Economic Impacts
- Agriculture: altered growing seasons, crop stress, food security risks.
- Health: heat-related illness, spread of vector-borne diseases.
- Infrastructure: coastal flooding, storm damage, and costs to adapt.
Speaker Notes: Mention socioeconomic vulnerability and unequal impacts across
regions.
Slide 6: Mitigation Strategies
- Reduce emissions: transition to renewables, increase energy efficiency, electrify
transport.
- Carbon removal: reforestation, soil carbon, and technological solutions like
direct air capture.
Speaker Notes: Discuss feasibility, costs, and timelines; stress policy and
behavioral changes.
Slide 7: Adaptation Strategies
- Strengthen infrastructure, early warning systems, water management, and resilient
agriculture.
- Community-based adaptation: local plans that reflect social and ecological
contexts.
Speaker Notes: Use an adaptation example like storm surge barriers or drought-
resistant crops.
Slide 8: Policy & International Action
- Role of international agreements (e.g., UNFCCC, Paris Agreement) and national
policy tools (carbon pricing, subsidies).
- Importance of finance and technology transfer for developing countries.
Speaker Notes: Keep explanation high-level and focus on why cooperation matters.
Slide 9: Classroom Activities & Call to Action
- Activity: carbon footprint audit and group plan to reduce emissions at school.
- Debate: economic growth vs. emissions reductions — moderated class discussion.
- Assignment: prepare a short policy brief recommending 3 local actions for climate
resilience.
Slide 10: Resources & Further Reading
- IPCC Assessment Reports
- UNFCCC & national climate portals
- Scientific journals: Nature Climate Change, Environmental Research Letters
Speaker Notes: Provide a bibliography and encourage critical reading of sources.
Closing Slide
- Final message: Understanding climate science empowers action — both mitigation
and adaptation are needed.
- Q&A and discussion prompts to close the session.
