This article from Probable Futures explains how the type and severity of a drought are measured and how droughts relate to climate change.
Readers can use the interactive global map to see the difference between 1 degree C of warming vs. 3 degrees C of warming and learn about the potential for desertification in some areas if conditions persist or worsen.
The interactive map within the article invites students to engage with the data.
This article provides information concisely and is organized so that readers can easily find what they are looking for.
Prerequisites
Students should understand climate change and that whether or not humans take action to combat it will determine how much the climate will warm. Students should understand that the different degrees of warming determine how severe related impacts are.
Differentiation & Implementation
Teachers can expand on the connection between drought and snowpack with the article Disappearing Winter Snowpack.
Students can use the data map in the article as inspiration for art that can inform and warn others about potential desertification.
After reading this article, students can take a look at how California communities are trying to solve the problems caused by increasing droughts with the student-facing course Expedition: Water by Design.
Students can demonstrate their understanding of this article by explaining the different types and levels of drought.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Probable Futures
Probable Futures offers useful tools and maps to visualize climate change along with stories and insights to help people understand what those changes mean.
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.