Climate Change Forces Major Lifestyle Changes High in the Himalayan Mountains
Ask Students: By when might the Himalayan glaciers be entirely gone, according to researchers? How do the ice stupas prevent water from melting?
Summary
Research published last year shows the massive Himalayan glaciers have shrunk 10-times faster over the past four decades than during the previous seven centuries. It threatens agriculture and the water supply for millions across South Asia. For a transcript, click here.
Discussion Questions: Climate Change and Himalayan Glaciers
- By when might the Himalayan glaciers be entirely gone, according to researchers?
- How do the ice stupas prevent water from melting?
- What other problems does the area experience due to climate change?
- Why might less water in the Himalayas spell trouble for more than just those who live in the mountains?
- Who does Sonam Wangchuk blame for the issues of climate change? His own community, or others?
Focus Questions
Wangchuk mentions near the end of the video that even though rural Himalayan communities were not the drivers of climate change, they are already experiencing the consequences of it. Meanwhile, many people in high-polluting countries like the United States are not feeling much of the pain yet. What can wealthier countries responsible for climate change, but not yet threatened by it, do to fix this imbalance? Should they do anything?
Media literacy: This video explores a slow-developing story that deeply affects a community. Would you prefer to see more reporting like this, less centered on recent events and more so on long-term trends? Why do you think the media gives so little coverage to these slow-developing stories?
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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