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Environmental Education Resource Pack for Child-Friendly Schools
To begin, click on your climate zone below:
Highland Climates
Highland climate zones are mountainous areas where altitude plays a role in determining climate and weather. Generally the average temperature of each month is about 5-6 °C for each 1,000 meters of elevation than the sea-level value. Days are generally warm due to solar irradiation and during nights temperatures drop to very low levels. Plants and trees are small and are adapted to withstand sub-zero conditions.
Flood Plains and SIDS
A flood plain is an area of land over which a river or seawater flows or is stored in times of flood. Flood plains usually extend beyond the land immediately next to a watercourse. A flood occurs when water pours over dry land. If a lot of rain falls quickly, the earth is unable to soak it up, and the water builds up on the ground. When it runs off into the rivers, the rivers overflow their banks. Due to sea level rise resulting from climate change small islands are vulnerable to similar flood risks as riverine flood plain areas in addition to several unique risks including the salinization of freshwater resources and the permanent loss of land area.
Drylands and Desertification
Almost one half of the Earth’s land surface (equal to 6.45 billion hectares) is made up of drylands. Drylands are particularly affected by desertification. They are comprised of arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas. Aridity is the result of climatic factors (rain, temperature, wind) and evapo-transpiration. Degradation is the result of human activities, such as cutting trees, overgrazing and pollution which cause desertification to happen.
Tropical Rain Forests
The climate of tropical rain forests is generally hot and humid. It rains almost every day, usually in the afternoon, for most of the year (approximately 10-11 months). Rainforests are extremely important in the ecology of the Earth. The infinitely diverse and abundant plants of the rainforest generate much of the Earth's oxygen. These plants are also very important to people in other ways; many are used in new drugs that fight disease and illness.
Urban Environments
Although not a significant percentage of land coverage on the earth, over half the world's population lives in an urban environment. While prevailing climatic conditions affect urban centers, the overall ecology of the natural environment is significantly altered and the environment presents its own unique challenges for environmentally friendly living.
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