Climate Week 4-10 March 2013

Hello bulb buddies!

Next week is National Climate Week – a good time to think about climate change, how it affects us and how we can help to take care of the planet.

For the last 150 years scientists in many parts of the world have been measuring temperature and rainfall, just like you are now in your Spring Bulbs investigations! The scientists have seen that temperatures are rising all over the world and that rainfall patterns are changing too.

Warmer weather and more rain might help your crocuses and daffodils to grow… but global warming also means more extreme weather events, such as heavy snow, storms, flooding and droughts!

There have been lots of floods and more snow in the UK in recent years. Last year the Met Office announced that 2012 was the second wettest year on record in the UK and the wettest ever in England.

Many top scientists agree that pollution levels are contributing to global warming, so what can we do to help?

Be energy – efficient! If we use less energy we create less pollution. How? Simple things we do every day can save lots of energy at home or at school. For example: Turning off the TV or computer when you are not using it saves lots of electricity!

Can you think of some other things that you could do to save energy? Maybe you could talk about this in class? You could also have a look at this Global Warming presentation – it has some other ideas for saving energy.

If you are interested in other things you can do for Climate Week then you can have a look the Climate Week website.

Your questions, my answers:

Thorneyholme RC Primary School PP, We were off on Wednesday afternoon, and our mystery blubs are growing.  Prof P: Can you guess what they are yet Thorneyholme or are they still a mystery?

Lakeside Primary Sorry about all the non recorded dates.  Prof P: That’s okay! Sometimes I have to miss a day recording too. Keep up the good work.

Ysgol Capelulo We have not got any flowers yet :(  Prof P: Don’t be sad Ysgol Capelulo, my plants haven’t got flowers yet either… I am sure they will come soon.

RAF Benson Primary School Some our daffodils and crocuses have started growing.  Prof P: That’s great news!

Newport Primary School It has been quite good weather here this week with no rain and some sunshine but the last couple of days have been really cold and quite dull. On Sunday 17th we had an almost spring day and we were all able to get out and have a good time as it was really sunny and felt quite warm.  Prof P: Excellent weather reporting NewportPrimary School! Really detailed, thank you! It has been very cold here in Cardiff too.

Balcurvie Primary School Our big rainfall on Monday was after the half term holiday when it snowed heavily! Great fun for us but not for our poor wee bulbs! Prof P: Sounds like you have been having some extreme weather in Scotland! I am glad you have been enjoying it Balcurvie.

Many thanks

Professor Plant