This module presents a science-based story to demonstrate how climate determines the global, long-term, large-scale distribution of living organisms; whereas, weather determines the local, short-term, small-scale ecology of living organisms. Life thrives within specific, often narrow ranges of temperature and precipitation – two main players in climate and weather. Using a systems-based approach, the module first reviews background information on climate and weather components of the Earth’s climate system—atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere, the greenhouse effect, and greenhouse gases (GHG). Second, the module introduces connections between humanity’s GHG emissions, radiative forcing, and current- and projected temperatures on Earth. Third, the module presents the many ways in which climate change affects insects globally. Lastly, the module focuses on scientific communication with a short New York Times article and a peer-reviewed paper, considering whether humanity can be hopeful in the face of climate change. The module may be presented to students in one of three learning formats—instructor-led, student-led, or student-online. This module considers not only what students should know, but also how they know it and how they can use that knowledge. The module also focuses on timely and current information that is in the news – climate change. It is the first of three modules linking global climate, ecological tolerance and mosquito range expansion, and human health.


This resource was developed with support from the National Science Foundation.