S7 geo 2

EU climate zones and climate change

EUROPE: ZONES &
CORRESPONDING CLIMA
TE GRAPHS IN MORE
DETAIL

CLIMATE CHANGE:
IMPACTS
Take home message
• There are 5 key factors that influence the European climate. You
can describe in your own words in what way.
See also book p 63-64
CHARACTERISTICS of 5 types:

• - Subarctic
• - Mountain (Alpine)
• - Continental Climates of Europe (Köppe
n) Quiz (purposegames.co
• - Temperate/Maritime m)

• - Mediterranean Watch it: 1 mistake in game –

Spain cold steppe????
Europe?
• TAKE HOME MESSAGE:
• You can sort a climate graph to a
location and describe the characteristics
of the corresponding climate type.
• You can describe the type of vegetation
and land use you expect to find in a
certain location.
Up to you: trace the
contour of the
temperate (maritime
climate) on the map

Label the climate

zones with the correct
letter. Compare this
map with the map in
the book.
Europe's climate zones
• Complete the map on the following slide.
• Use the website www.climatecharts.net to find a typical climate
graph for each of the 5 regions. Note the coordinates of the
location you chose and describe the climate graph.
• Use sources 1,2 and 3 on page 63 of your book to complete your
description
 CLIMATE
IN
EUROPE:
THE
FUTURE??
https://youtu.be/n9Ej5E47T
NI
Have a look at the PRESS RELEASE BELOW (click on the link).

Press release 2/11/22

https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/temperatures-europe-increase-more-twice-global-average
USING GIS : Climate change impacts in Europe (arcgis.com)

Open the above link.

EXPLORE the data for each of the five main climate zones in Europe

Add to your key symbols that summarize the risks per climate zone. Use symbols for
the risks, colour for the climate zone.
Key observed and projecte
d climate change and impa
cts for the main regions in
Europe — European Envir
onment Agency (europa.eu)

Book p. 76
The future: It is all in the air...?
• The recipe for air

• Carbon sinks
Composition: The recipe for air... The amount of
CO2 and
H20 fluctuates.
...

78%
21%
Example: Forests/Deforestation
 EXTENSION

Proof
Columbus’ ‘discovery’ of the Americas in 1492:

Over the 100 years after European arrival, the indigenous population of the Americas dropped from 60 million to only 6
million, due to waves of epidemics, warfare and famine.

The new research, funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council, suggests that this led to a regrowth of
forests and a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, which in turn contributed to the Earth’s cooling.

Scientists believe that the changes to land use led to a lowering of CO2 levels sufficient enough that the concentration of
the gas in the atmosphere eventually fell by 7-10ppm.
This coincides with the ‘Little Ice Age’, a period between about 1300 and 1870 during which time many parts of the
world dipped into cooler temperatures. In the 16th century global temperatures were at their lowest points.

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2019/feb/great-dying-americas-disturbed-earths-climate
 EXTENSION

HENDRICK
AVERCAMP,
PAINTER (1585-
1634)
PAINTING: 1608
 EXTENSION

Extension: Proof? Explore the data....

https://www.globalforestwa
tch.org/map
 EXTENSION

So: What is the problem?

• Deforestation is a main driver of climate change and biodiversity loss

• and the EU contributes to it by consuming a significant share of

products associated with deforestation. The EU, therefore, has the
responsibility to contribute to ending it.
EXTENSION

What did the

EU do so far?
Forests are an example of a "carbon
sink"
"CARBON SINKS": area or ecosystem that
absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases.
...And in the
mean time in
Europe...
Climate change!

‘Europe’s man on the moo

n moment’: Von der Leyen
unveils EU Green Deal (the
parliamentmagazine.eu)
• Or: How the EU want to turn climate goals
into law
• The European Council has set the goal for the EU to cut its greenhouse gas
emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990, and become
climate neutral by 2050. By the European climate law, these goals
are binding for the EU and its member states.
• To reach these goals, EU member states need to take concrete measures
to reduce emissions and decarbonise the economy. New rules and
updates of EU legislation are needed to make the green transition a
reality.
• The Fit for 55 package is a set of legislative proposals and amendments to
existing EU legislation that will help the EU cut its net greenhouse gas
emissions and reach climate neutrality.
 Part of the GREEN DEAL of the EU

An example:
"Fit for 55"
Fit for 55
•Extension: See book
Sustainability as goal, p. 20-
24 (is part of 4p course)

•Infographic: how the EU del

ivers the green transition -
Consilium (europa.eu)
A European Green Deal (eu
ropa.eu)