SO THAT WE’ RE NOT AFRAID- eTwinning Project eBook
Natural Hazards A short guide for young students
CLIMATE CHANGE Climate change (or global warming) is the process of our planet heating up. The Earth has warmed by an average of 1°C in the last century, while each of the past four decades has been warmer than the previous one. Eleven of the last 12 years have been the warmest on record, with 2016 being the warmest year ever recorded! Scientists all over the world agree: our global climate is changing, these changes are mainly caused by human activities, and they are largely irreversible! Climate change is real and it is happening fast—much faster than ever before in Earth's entire history!
What are the causes of climate change? ❖
Greenhouse gas emissions
In the last 150 years, industrialised countries have been burning fossil fuels, such as oil and gas. The gases released into the atmosphere during this process act like a ‘blanket’, trapping the sun’s warmth near the Earth’s surface and warming it up! This is known as the “Greenhouse Effect”. ❖
Destruction of rainforests
Rainforests are ‘the lungs of the Earth’. They absorb huge amounts of toxic gases and especially carbon dioxide – the most harmful greenhouse gas - and release oxygen into the atmosphere. Yet sadly, many rainforests are being cut down to make wood, and to clear the way for farmland, roads and dams.
What are the effects of climate change? Rising global temperatures threaten human health, increase the risk of extreme weather events and damage ecosystems. These impacts are already being felt today! - Extreme weather: The changing climate will make our weather more extreme and unpredictable. Extreme weather phenomena such as heat waves, droughts, windstorms, cyclones, dust storms, floods and heavy snowfall, have already become more frequent. - Rise in sea level: As the oceans warm up and polar ice caps melt, sea levels are rising, endangering coastal areas. Sea level has already risen about 8 inches due to the melting of glaciers. - Threats to habitats and animals. As temperatures rise and some areas become wetter or drier, lots of animals (and humans!) could find they’re not able to adapt to their changing climate.
Scientists predict that in the 21st century the global temperature will rise by 0.3 to 1.7 °C, even if we do manage to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They also believe that the effects of climate change will persist for not only decades or centuries, but for tens of thousands of years to come! SO, WHAT CAN WE DO?
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It is urgent that we reduce the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change. How? By choosing cleaner, renewable ways to power our homes, offices, factories and cars; by planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide; by protecting the world’s forests, and by recycling!
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We must prepare for life in a changing climate. We need to make sure that our buildings, roads and businesses can withstand the climate changes that are inevitable. The global effort to manage climate change has been organized through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Let us hope that by working together we will manage to put an end to climate change and save our beautiful planet. The generations to come deserve a safer, better future!
CLIMATE CHANGE- ACTION OR FEAR
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18tx_4pK_g5BL7y3n_h2Hu-5trjdlzBwx/view?usp=sharing
WINDSTORM What is it? A storm marked by high wind with little or no precipitation. Windstorm damage often opens the door for massive amounts of water and debris to cause further damage to a structure.
Credit: National Weather Service
There are two types of windstorms: - European windstorms: the strongest extratropical cyclones which occur across the continent of Europe, and -
Derechos (derecho (/dəˈreɪtʃoʊ/, from Spanish: derecho [deˈɾetʃo], "straight"): widespread, long-lived, straight-line windstorms that is associated with a land-based, fast-moving group of severe thunderstorms.
How do we act during a windstorm? Take precautions Cut and gather dead tree branches and cut down dead trees on your lot. Be sure to comply with municipal by-laws. Find out about weather warnings in effect in your region or in the area where you are planning to travel. Take such warnings into account when you plan your activities. Prepare yourself when a windstorm is forecast When the meteorological service forecasts a windstorm, fasten anything that can be blown away outside your home to prevent dangerous situations and injuries. Do as instructed by authorities When the situation demands it, the authorities disseminate instructions to seek shelter or to evacuate, depending on the hazard. To ensure your safety and that of your family, follow the instructions. Listen to the media in your area to obtain a status report and find out about the procedures to be followed.
After a windstorm, make your environment safe. Make sure that your home is safe after a windstorm. Inspect the premises for damage. Check the roof. Check structures that might have been weakened, such as the shed. Pick up debris scattered by the wind. Never touch downed power lines or electrical installations.
LEARNING ABOUT WINDS
https://youtu.be/SuBsuXf_1j4
CYCLONE A cyclone describes a weather system characterized by swirling winds around a low-pressure center; wind direction around the low is counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Coming in a wide variety of sizes and settings, cyclones cause some of the most dramatic and outright violent weather on the planet, including the tropical cyclones known as hurricanes and typhoons.
Parts of a cyclone
The low-pressure center of a tropical cyclone marks the “eye,” a surprisingly calm area usually 20 to 40 miles wide. The influence of the Earth’s rotation on air movement – the Coriolis effect – means that winds rotate around this eye: counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern. Usually the strongest winds blow just around the eye in the ring of thunderstorms called the “eyewall.” The clouds forming around the outside of the storm create its spiral “rainbands.”
Where they occur? Tropical cyclones require ocean temperatures of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit or more to form, so they arise in a fairly narrow belt on either side of the equator: mainly between 5 and 30 degrees of latitude. In the South Pacific and Indian oceans, meteorologists simply call tropical cyclones “cyclones.” These violently rotating windstorms go by “hurricane” in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Northeast Pacific; they’re known as “typhoons” in the Northwest Pacific. These different names all refer to the same kind of storm.
How do we act when a cyclone occurs? An item of major importance to have handy is an emergency kit with a radio, batteries, flashlights, nonperishable foods, candles, matches, any important documents, essential medications, waterproof bags and a first-aid kit. • Stay at home, on the lower floor and in the inner room, and away from the windows; • Close all interior doors and reinforce exterior doors; • Constantly watch the flood level near your home; • In the event of wind becoming more violent, place yourself under a piece of sturdy furniture or a mattress; • If you are surprised in the street, move away from trees, poles or walls, and protect your head.
How can we prepare for a cyclone?
What can we do to prevent a cyclone? We cannot prevent a cyclone. It is a natural phenomenon that cannot be stopped but we can pay attention to climate change and behave responsibly. All a community can do is heed the warnings, which are usually issued several days in advance, and brace for its effects.
ACTIVITIES ABOUT THE WIND
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NUhPbve_3olGFyIbQb6i-ZAAuCt7XZ7F/view?usp=sharing
Some facts about earthquakes The earth is made up of four layers – the inner core, outer core, mantle and crust. The mantle and crust are a thin skin compared to the other layers.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vRbUJIgYYE2fwJZ7obfx9NGDccmyaFG19 Z9X3-F-aqW2arRiO2cQt7MiTX_Qg5s87MMNQhw0p5U8WbQ/pub?start=false&loop=false&del ayms=3000
Why do they occur ? This thin skin is broken into pieces called tectonic plates. The plates are like puzzle pieces, floating on top of the Earth’s inner core. Sometimes the pieces slide under or against each other and become stuck.
Everything is shaking
https://youtu.be/k6Z5dx6JjR8
Where does it occur ? Over 80 percent of the earth’s earthquakes happen in the Pacific Ocean, in a place known as the “Ring of Fire.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcPghqnnTVk
https://www.ducksters.com/science/ear thquakes.php
How to behave during an earthquake? Try to get away from objects that may fall or break. Move into the open, if this is possible. Go out of the building, if you have enough time. Sit down under the table, if you don’t have time to run away. https://drive.google.com/file/d/12Dok7TdrUyg3ttNSTo3O2860jKriEg7W/view?usp=sharing
WE ARE NOT AFRAID -WE LEARN
https://youtu.be/-1xmatjkcBo
TSUNAMI •A tsunami is a large ocean wave usually caused by an underwater earthquake or a volcanic explosion.
Tsunami * Tsunami waves are huge, and they can be as long as hundreds of kilometers. The massive waves head towards the sea shore and keep getting bigger along the way. * The word tsunami comes from the Japanese word meaning "harbor wave." Tsunamis are sometimes incorrectly called "tidal waves" . Tsunamis ARE NOT tidal waves. Tidal waves are caused by the forces of the moon, sun, and planets upon the tides, as well as the wind as it moves over the water.
Interesting information •The speed of a tsunami is about 970 kph (600 mph) which is identical to the speed of an airplane. •The danger from a tsunami can last for several hours after the arrival of the first wave. A tsunami wave train may come as a series of surges that are five minutes to an hour apart. •Nearly 80% tsunamis occur due to volcanic eruptions in an area of Pacific Ocean which is popular as ‘Ring of Fire’.
How do you know that a tsunami is going to happen •An earthquake is a natural tsunami warning. .. •Witnesses have reported that an approaching tsunami is sometimes preceded by a noticeable fall or rise in the water level. If you see the ocean receding unusually rapidly or far it's a good sign that a big wave is on its way..
•Right before a tsunami hits shore, the coastal water is sucked away from the shore, which exposes the sea floor. This is a warning that the tsunami will hit within the next five minutes. •The first wave to hit shore is not usually the strongest wave. The waves that follow grow progressively larger and gain more strength.
HOW DO YOU SURVIVE A TSUNAMI? 1. Follow the evacuation order issued by authorities and evacuate immediately. ...Move away from the coast, lagoons or other bodies of water, if possible, towards higher ground and even into hills or mountains. 2. Move to high ground or inland and away from water immediately.Move until you are either 2 miles (3,200 m) inland or 100 feet (30 m) above sea level. Expect roads to be totally wiped out by a tsunami. 3.
If you can see the wave, you are too close to escape it. Stay away from the beach. ... Save yourself - not your possessions.
Can you predict a tsunami? •Earthquakes and tsunamis cannot be predicted. However, once a large earthquake does occur, PTWC can forecast the tsunami behavior if one had been generated.
FLOODS What is a flood? A flood is a natural incident in which a dry area or a dry piece of land suddenly gets submerged under water. It simply means too much water everywhere, even around our houses. The main reasons for flooding: Rain: Whenever it rains heavily and there is less drainage, flooding occurs. Overflowing rivers: When there is more water upstream than usual and, as it flows downstream to the low-lying areas or flood plains, the excess water flows into the land causing flooding. Breaking of dams: When there is too much water behind a dam; the force of water breaks it, causing overflowing of water which results in flooding. Strong winds: Seawater can be carried by strong winds and hurricanes onto dry coastal lands, which results in flooding. Melting snow: When the temperature rises, ice melts resulting in immense movement of water into dry places.
Types of floods: Flash flood - a flood that develops in less than six hours. Rapid onset flood- lasts for usually one or two days only. Slow onset flood – tends to develop slowly and can last for days and weeks. Storm surge flood – happens during a storm, hurricane or cyclone.
Safety tips: Before, during and after a flood If you have pre-information about flooding, be prepared to evacuate. Turn off the gas and electrical appliances. Try going to a place that is on higher ground. Stay away from power lines and power cables. Keep a list of emergency contacts with you. Use extreme caution when entering buildings after a flood. Flood damage is generally long-term. Many times floods can destroy everything. Always help others if you can!
ATMOSPHERIC DUST Dust clouds are formed when the wind blowing over dry land, such as a desert, whips up dust and wind high into the sky. The wind then transfers the dust in the direction in which it is travelling. Most dust clouds come from the Sahara desert, the biggest desert on our planet. When strong winds blow over the Sahara desert they lift tons of dust and sand from the ground, creating huge dust clouds. These clouds of dust can then be transported all over the world, covering thousands of miles! Saharan dust clouds usually affect the Mediterranean region and the United Kingdom. Yet they often travel across the Atlantic Ocean and can reach as far as Brazil and California! In fact, dust clouds from the Sahara are often so big they can be seen from space!
EFFECTS OF ATMOSPHERIC DUST Unfortunately, the dust particles in these Saharan dust clouds usually contain pollutants and toxins, such as salt, sulfur, heavy metals, pesticides and carbon monoxide. As the pollution-laden dust can be carried over hundreds of miles, it affects millions of people. Breathing in pollution-laden dust can lead to breathing problems, particularly for people with asthma. It can harm sensitive lung tissue, irritate the lungs, and trigger allergic reactions, including asthma attacks. Exposure to dust can also cause coughing, sneezing, wheezing, runny noses, irritation of the eyes and hayfever. Old people, people with health problems and children are the most vulnerable to dust.
So, what should we do in order to protect ourselves from atmospheric dust? The possible harm the dust may cause to our health is determined by the amount of dust present in the air and how long we have been exposed to it. So, whenever there is a lot of dust in the atmosphere, -we should stay indoors, as much as possible; -we should keep all doors and windows closed; -and we should use protective face masks when we are outdoors - as well as indoors depending on the degree of air pollution!
Save the Earth! It is our home!
This is a team work provided by 6 schools from 5 European countries: Cyprus, Romania, Moldova, Poland and Portugal