Using critical thinking and group work, students explore historical data on drought in B.C. and its impacts on people and places.
Explore drought situations in B.C. and the impacts on people and ecosystems. In groups, students will assess the impacts of drought, look at historical data, consider steps that can be taken to deal with drought conditions and create a weather report.
Questioning and predicting:
Processing and analyzing data and information:
Excerpt from the B.C. Drought Information Portal:
“Drought is a long period with below normal rain or snow that may result in a water shortage. Drought, combined with the year-over-year impacts of extreme weather, can affect the water we need for people, fish, animals and the environment.
The Drought Information Portal is a single source to access drought levels across geographic regions in British Columbia. The maps provide information on current and historical provincial drought levels, watershed conditions, and other information related to drought monitoring.”
Excerpt from the ClimateReadyBC site: Drought and water scarcity in B.C.:
“British Columbia will experience more drought and water scarcity as the climate continues to warm.
B.C.’s climate is changing. Hotter temperatures, insufficient snow accumulation, faster spring snowmelt, glacier loss, and reduced precipitation over extended periods of time can cause drought and water scarcity. As the climate continues to warm, drought and resulting water scarcity will become more common.
Drought and water scarcity can impact communities in many ways, as they can lead to:
• Reduced water availability for households and businesses
• Warmer river temperatures, affecting fish and aquatic life
• Impacts on groundwater levels
• Reduced crop quality and smaller harvests
• An increase in agricultural pests
Drought situations also increase the risk of wildfire, creating conditions for fires to spread more easily, faster, and burn for longer. It can affect crop production, leading to smaller harvests or lost crops. It can also leave less water available for household and business use, with varying impacts to social, economic and cultural activities.”
The impacts of climate change will continue to influence water levels in B.C. This has had, and will continue to have, impacts on people, ecosystems, food supplies, and industrial activity. As a place that has historically had abundant water, water scarcity can be a difficult concept for B.C. residents to comprehend and act on.
First Nations communities around the province play important roles in protecting and stewarding the land and water for future generations.
Excerpt from the Indigenous Watersheds Initiative:
“Watersheds hold profound significance for First Nations communities as they are integral to their cultural, spiritual, and physical well-being. These vital ecosystems, encompassing rivers, lakes, wetlands, and surrounding lands, play a pivotal role in sustaining traditional ways of life for many Indigenous peoples. Watersheds serve as sources of nourishment, providing fish, plants, and other resources crucial to traditional diets. Additionally, these environments often hold sacred value, connecting First Nations to their ancestors and spiritual practices. As caretakers of land and water, First Nations recognize the delicate balance within watersheds and the necessity of preserving them for future generations. The well-being of these ecosystems directly influences the overall health and resilience of the community, making the conservation and sustainable management of watersheds not merely an environmental and economic concern but also a fundamental aspect of cultural preservation for First Nations.”
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