Game – each student is given a card with one concept; the task of the students is to find the explanation corresponding to their concept in the room and stand next to that explanation. Checking the concepts and explanations.

Mäng  kontrollimine. 

Read the texts.
Prepare a news analysis based on the following questions:

• What natural phenomenon is described in the text?

• Why is this phenomenon unusual or concerning?

• How did it affect human activity or society?

• What could be possible solutions or preparations for such events in the future?

2. Creative task: "Imagine the world in 2050"
Design a poster, comic, or written piece on the topic: "How will our lives change if such natural phenomena become more frequent?"
You may choose either a fantasy-based or science-based approach. Each group presents their poster. The class discusses:

• Which phenomena were the most destructive?

• Could they have been prevented?

• What connections can we see between different cases?

tekste

Climate change has brought about many significant changes, including rising sea levels in coastal areas. One of the main causes is the melting of permafrost, which adds meltwater to the oceans and seas, raising their overall level. In addition, water levels are also affected by the fact that in a warmer climate, more water evaporates from bodies of water into the atmosphere. When this water vapor later falls as rain or snow, the amount of precipitation can be exceptionally large, causing extensive flooding.

The risk of flooding increases especially when the bedrock or soil does not allow water to seep through, meaning that water cannot be absorbed into the ground and begins to accumulate on the surface. This results in floods that damage both the natural environment and human-made infrastructure. Rainfall also causes water levels in rivers and lakes to rise, which in turn promotes erosion along shorelines – the water washes away soil and vegetation.

If temperatures were lower, less water vapor would evaporate, and there would also be less rainfall. However, in a warmer climate, extreme precipitation events become more frequent, meaning that floods occur increasingly often – even in places where they were previously rare. Floods can wash away fertile topsoil, but they also impact our everyday lives. For example, traffic is disrupted, airports and roads are closed, and homes and businesses are affected.

A good example is April 2024 in Dubai, where more rain fell in two days than typically does in two years. Such an extraordinary amount of rainfall caused massive flooding and completely paralyzed the operation of the international airport. Thousands of travelers were stranded in airports, and flights were canceled en masse.

Although floods are a natural phenomenon, their scale and frequency are increasingly influenced by human activity. Urbanization often involves the use of impermeable materials like asphalt and concrete, which prevent water from seeping into the ground. In addition, many drainage and sewage systems are outdated or insufficient. This means that when there is heavy rain or rising sea levels, the existing system cannot handle the excess water, resulting in flooding.

Modern society is highly dependent on infrastructure – such as roads, airports, shopping centers, and residential buildings – and this makes us more vulnerable to the forces of nature. Climate change intensifies flooding in two ways: on one hand, extreme rainfall events become more frequent; on the other hand, sea levels rise, making coastal areas especially vulnerable.

Already, five Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean have been submerged due to rising sea levels – this shows that floods are not just a temporary inconvenience but can also irreversibly change landscapes and displace human settlements.

Desertification is a process in which fertile land becomes dry and desert-like, losing its ability to produce food or support nature. This doesn't occur only in desert-adjacent regions – desertification also threatens semi-arid and even temperate areas, including parts of Europe and, in the future, possibly Estonia.

Desertification often begins where sunlight and heat dry out the soil, causing it to break apart and become easily eroded. When this is combined with the destruction of trees and vegetation, nothing holds the soil in place anymore. Wind and rain then carry away the fertile top layer – this process is called erosion.

The most direct impact is on farmers, who lose crops and income, but the consequences go further – food becomes scarcer, prices rise, and people’s quality of life worsens.

Human activities also accelerate desertification, such as large-scale deforestation, intensive food production, and overuse of water bodies, all of which disrupt the balance of ecosystems. At the same time, growing population and food demand push agricultural production further north – including into Estonia, where soils are currently still in relatively good condition but may come under greater pressure in the future.

Climate change exacerbates desertification: it brings more frequent droughts, heatwaves, and unpredictable precipitation patterns, all of which damage soil fertility. For example, in Southern Europe and North Africa, many previously fertile farmlands are already becoming unusable.

Estonian soil scientists have warned that while our soils are still healthy, the situation could change if the global demand for food shifts here. Therefore, it is important to focus already today on soil protection, environmentally friendly agriculture, and conscious land use – so that our fields remain fertile in the future.

Tuul tekib Maa pöörlemise ja õhu liikumise tõttu meie planeedi ümber. Kui päikesekiirgus jõuab Maale, soojeneb kõigepealt maapind. Seejärel hakkab soe maapind omakorda soojendama selle kohal olevat õhku. Soojenenud õhus hakkavad molekulid ja aatomid liikuma kiiremini ning liiguvad üksteisest kaugemale. Seetõttu muutub soe õhk kergemaks ja tõuseb ülespoole.

Kõrgemal atmosfääris on aga temperatuur madalam, seal liiguvad osakesed aeglasemalt ja muutuvad tihedamaks. See õhk muutub raskemaks ja vajub alla. Nii tekibki õhu liikumine – üks õhumass tõuseb, teine langeb, ja nende vaheline liikumine põhjustab tuule.

Tormid on ägedad atmosfäärinähtused, mida iseloomustavad tugev tuul, äikesevihmad ja sageli ka pikne, rahe või tornaadod. Need võivad põhjustada ulatuslikku kahju – katkestada elektrivarustuse, murda puid, lõhkuda hooneid ja ohustada inimelusid. Tormide mõju on suurem just seal, kus tihe asustus, ebapiisav taristu või nõrgad ehitusstandardid muudavad inimesed haavatavaks. Meie tehnoloogiliselt sõltuv eluviis (elekter, internet, transpordivõrgud) tähendab, et isegi lühiajaline torm võib ühiskonna töö rivist välja viia.

Kliimamuutuste tõttu on tormid üha intensiivsemad, kuna soojem atmosfäär suudab hoida rohkem niiskust ning energiat, mis toidab torme. Näiteks 2022. aasta suvel tabas Korsika saart torm, mille tuulekiirus ulatus 224 km/h – see põhjustas suuri purustusi ja nõudis inimelusid. Sarnased nähtused on sagenenud ka mujal Euroopas – sealhulgas Saksamaal, Itaalias ja Austrias. Mõned neist tormidest sarnanevad isegi troopilistele orkaanidele, mis varem olid peamiselt troopiliste vööndite probleem. Nüüd peame nende võimalusega arvestama ka Euroopas.

Excel Exercise: Floods 1990–2022 – Creating a Bar Chart

1. Enter data
Open Excel and enter the following data into two columns:

• Column A: Year – e.g., 1990

• Column B: Number of floods – e.g., 52

Make sure the first row has headers:

• A1: Year

• B1: Number of Floods

2. Select the data range
Click and drag to highlight the entire data set, e.g., A1 to B33.

3. Insert a bar chart
Go to the Insert tab.
Choose Column or Bar Chart → then Clustered Column.

Excel will automatically generate a bar chart where:

• The X-axis shows the years

• The Y-axis shows the number of floods

4. Format the chart

• Title: Click the chart title and change it to something like:
  “Global Flood Incidents 1990–2022”

• Axes: Ensure the X-axis shows years, and Y-axis shows flood counts

• Colors/design: Optionally, change the bar color (e.g., blue) and choose a clean design

5. Add data labels

• Click on one of the bars in the chart

• Right-click and select Add Data Labels
  → Now, each bar will show the number it represents

6. Save the file
Click File → Save As
Choose a name like Floods_BarChart_1990-2022.xlsx

Data Analysis – Interpretation Questions

1. What was the annual average change in statistics? Was there a clear upward trend?

To calculate the average annual change, subtract the number of floods in 1990 from that in 2022 and divide by the number of years. If the chart shows a steady increase in flood frequency, then yes – there is a clear upward trend.
This would indicate that flood events have become more common over the past three decades.

2. What does this trend mean in the context of climate change?

A rising trend in flood frequency suggests that climate change is intensifying extreme weather patterns – including heavy rainfall, rising sea levels, and storm surges – all of which contribute to more frequent and severe flooding.

3. How can we describe the link between more frequent floods and human activity/climate change?

Human-driven activities such as:

• Burning fossil fuels → global warming → more moisture in the atmosphere

• Urbanization → impermeable surfaces → poor water absorption

• Deforestation → increased erosion and runoff
  All contribute to higher flood risk. Climate change amplifies these effects by altering weather patterns and increasing rainfall intensity.

4. What can societies and governments do to reduce the impact of this trend?
Some possible actions include:

• Investing in flood-resistant infrastructure (e.g., drainage systems, levees)

• Restoring natural landscapes (wetlands, forests) to absorb excess water

• Urban planning with climate in mind, avoiding construction in flood-prone areas

• Adopting climate policies to reduce emissions and slow global warming

• Early warning systems and public education for flood preparedness

statistika 1990-2022 

Materials needed:

• 3 large plastic bottles with one side cut off

• 3 large plastic bottles cut about 15 cm from the bottom

• Scissors or knife to make side slits in bottles

• Soil to fill each bottle

• Dry material (twigs, leaves)

• Young grass or flowering plants with roots

• String or ribbon for hanging

• Water
  Procedure:

Fill the bottles as follows:

• Bottle A: soil only

• Bottle B: soil + dry material (leaves, mulch)

• Bottle C: soil + planted plants with roots

Hang the bottles by their necks with the bottoms facing downward to collect draining water. Pour the same amount of water into the side opening of each soil-filled bottle, quickly near the top (to simulate rainfall).

Questions:

• Under which bottle is the water the murkiest?

• Under which bottle is the water the clearest?

• What differences do you observe between the bottle with leaves and the one with plant cover?

• What does this experiment show?

Discussion:

• Why does plant cover protect soil better than dry mulch?

• How does this experiment help us understand natural processes?

• What similar principles do humans use to protect soil (e.g., terraced farming, reforestation)?

1. Go indoors! Don’t stay outside – especially don’t take shelter under a tree. Go inside immediately, to a room or school building.

2. Stay away from windows! Strong wind or hail can break the glass – keep a safe distance.

3. Turn off electronics! If there is lightning nearby, unplug chargers and avoid using computers or phones while charging.

4. Listen to adults’ instructions! Your teacher or parent knows what to do – calmly follow their directions.

5. Don’t use the elevator or run outside out of curiosity! Stay put and wait until the storm passes. 

1. Follow official warnings via radio, TV, or phone.

2. Leave danger areas quickly and safely – go to higher ground or shelter.

3. Move immediately to higher places (upper floor, hill). Do not stay in low areas.

4. Do not drive or walk through flowing water – even shallow water can knock you off balance.

5. Do not touch electrical devices or cables – water and electricity together are dangerous; avoid broken wires.

6. Turn off electricity and gas if needed to prevent accidents.

7. Keep in contact! If possible, inform your teacher or rescuers about your location.

8. Do not joke or take risks! Do not jump into water or play during a flood – water may hide sharp objects or flow unexpectedly.

9. Do not walk through flooded areas – flowing water can be dangerous and roads damaged.

10. If at home, move valuables higher and keep essentials handy.

11. After the flood, be cautious – avoid water if unsure about safety and wait for official instructions.

12. Stay calm, move to a safe place, listen to instructions, stay close to friends, and look after each other.

1.Game: Storm Course
Materials:

• Traffic cones or signs

• Rope or cord

• Newspapers (for making thin walls)

• Flashlights or phone flashlights

• Papers with storm-related questions

Build an obstacle course indoors or outdoors (e.g., "trees on the road," "house ruins," "flooded area"). Students move along the course guided by flashlight beams, avoiding the "storm debris." Storm-themed questions are hidden on the course (e.g., "What is the speed of a tornado?"). Each found question must be answered before moving on. The activity ends in the "evacuation zone," where risks noticed on the way are discussed.

2. Game: “Flood Rescue Plan”
   Goal: Simulate a flood situation and practice cooperation in evacuation and crisis planning. See how quickly conditions can change during a flood. Understand the importance of planning, teamwork, and response.
   Materials:

• Large paper or mat (showing terrain: houses, river, road)

• Colored markers: people, animals, cars, bridges

• “Rising water” areas (e.g., blue strips)

• Dice (for water level changes)

How to play:
Students are divided into teams: rescuers, residents, local government. On the terrain, "residents" move in certain places. Each dice roll over 3 means water rises; rolls 1–3 mean water lowers. When water rises, some areas become impassable. Teams must cooperate to:

• Evacuate residents to dry land

• Build temporary bridges or shelters

• Share resources (e.g., drinking water, food)
  At the end, discuss what made evacuation successful or difficult.

3. Game: “Desert is Coming”
   Goal: Show how the environment changes and which actions speed up or slow down desertification.
   Materials:

• Paper or mats (terrain areas: forest, village, farmland, desert)

• Cards with actions (e.g., “plant tree,” “logging,” “grazing animals,” “drought”)

• Green, yellow, and brown markers or patches

• Time zones (each “day” changes the area color)

How to play:
Initially, ¾ of the terrain is green (forest or farmland).
Students “play rounds,” each choosing an action card:

• Green action: plant trees, irrigate fields → area stays green

• Yellow action: grazing, highway → area turns yellow (danger zone)

• Brown action: logging, intensive farming → area turns desert color
  The game lasts until ⅔ of the land turns brown (desert).
  Discussion: which decisions helped, which sped up desert growth?

Materials
~50–100 drinking straws (plastic or paper)
Fine gauze or mask fabric
Small container (glass, plastic bottle)
Glue or tape
Scissors and strings

Build
Weave a net from drinking straws about 15 cm wide and 30 cm high.
Attach fabric on one side of the net with glue or hot glue.
Roll the net into a tube to form a cylinder (about 20–30 cm high).
Attach fabric to the bottom of the tube, make a hole in the center, and place a collection container underneath.
Place the tower indoors or outside in a humid area.

Measurements
Initial water level in the collection container.
Temporary – observe hourly or after a few hours how the water level changes.
Monitor the water amount and describe if the water is clear or partially smells (if filter material was used).

What does the experiment show?
Condensation forms when moist air cools on an infrared heat or cool surface and water starts collecting

This simple model demonstrates how Warka Water towers collect morning dew and turn it into drinking water. Although amounts are small, it gives a concrete understanding of how condensation works and why the towers use nets and filter materials to increase surface efficiency.

Discussion and reflection questions

• What causes condensation?

• How could condensation towers help in water-scarce areas?

• What connections exist between this experiment and Warka Water towers (materials, design, working principle)?

• How could we use this principle for a roof system or a portable outdoor tower?

Protective Plant Net – Helping to Keep Soil in Place!

Plant vegetation that with their roots hold sand and soil in place, reduce erosion, and make the landscape more beautiful and biodiverse. This is practical nature conservation — we all can do something to improve the environment. Planting is not a one-time action, but a process.

Find:

• Sandy or sloped areas around the school building

• Sandy wasteland near the shore

• Artificial slopes where rain or wind easily washes soil away

You will need:

• Seedlings of low-growing, deep-rooted, sand-tolerant plants (e.g., sand ryegrass, sea buckthorn, grasses, seaberry, sand onion, coastal alder)

• Planting shovels and gloves

• Watering cans or buckets

• Labels with plant names (for learning purposes)

• Natural mulch if possible (hay, small branches)

Steps:

1. Explain to children why soil “moves” — erosion happens when rain or wind carries bare soil away.

2. Show the plants and explain how they help — their long roots hold the soil tightly.

3. Divide children into small groups and assign each a planting area.

4. Each group plants seedlings 20–30 cm apart so they can grow and form a "living net."

5. Water the plants and place labels with species names.

6. Optionally, border the area with stones or natural materials to create a small “restored protective zone.”

7. Children can observe the plants growing and notice how, over time, the sand stays in place more. They can keep a “plant guardian diary,” taking turns checking if erosion has decreased around the plants.

8. Later, add a bug hotel or an info board: “Here we help nature stay strong!”

1. Poisonous plants can save lives! Some plants contain natural compounds used in medicine — for example, aspirin originally came from sage and willow leaves.

2. Plants communicate underground! Roots and fungal networks form the so-called “wood wide web,” where plants share nutrients and warning signals.

3. Nature is surprisingly resilient! After disasters like floods or wildfires, many plants can quickly regenerate and restore the landscape.

4. Did you know some plants in desertifying areas have special roots that search deep underground for water? This helps them survive in extremely dry conditions

5. One plant can live for thousands of years! For example, giant sequoia trees in the U.S. can live for over 3,000 years.

6. Nature’s protective network doesn’t just include plants – insects, birds, and animals also help hold the soil and create a healthy ecosystem.

7. The Great China Flood (1931)
   One of the deadliest natural disasters in history – the flooding of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers is estimated to have killed between 1 to 4 million people. Survivors later built new dams and water management systems to prevent such catastrophes.

8. Pakistan, 2010
   Monsoon rains caused floods that affected over 20 million people. People temporarily relocated to the mountains and established community-based evacuation networks.

9. Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina (2005, USA)
   Hurricane Katrina reached wind speeds of 280 km/h and caused massive flooding in New Orleans. After the disaster, stronger levee systems and city evacuation plans were developed.

10. Super Typhoon Haiyan (2013, Philippines)
    With peak wind speeds over 315 km/h, it was one of the most powerful landfalling storms in history. People built temporary shelters, and communities began taking storm warnings more seriously.

11. Tropical Storm Nargis (2008, Myanmar)
    The storm killed over 130,000 people due to ignored warnings. A national storm warning program was later created, and more resilient housing was built.

12. The Sahara wasn’t always a desert!
    About 5,000–7,000 years ago, the Sahara was a region of green grasslands and lakes.

13. Dust Bowl (1930s, USA)
    Poor farming practices and drought led to a desertification-like situation where topsoil was simply blown away. People developed soil conservation methods and learned to respect nature’s balance.

14. China’s "Green Wall"
    To stop desertification, China has planted over 60 billion trees along the edges of the Gobi Desert since 1978. It is one of the world’s largest man-made environmental projects.

15. Tigray Green Arcs, Ethiopia
    In formerly dry regions, communities have planted entire green zones to stop soil erosion. It shows that even in the driest areas, life can return when communities act together.

16. Nature is incredibly powerful, but people are resourceful and resilient.
    Throughout history, humans have survived, recovered, and even improved their environments. With knowledge, cooperation, and wise decisions, it is possible to overcome challenges and create a safer future.