Researching Climate Connections and Local Impact
For the last part of your project, you're going to think about how things we do that are not good for the Earth (like using too much stuff or polluting) and how the Earth getting a little warmer can hurt our water (hydrosphere), land (geosphere), living things (biosphere), and air (atmosphere).
Research how the first people who lived here in Minnesota, the American Indian Tribes and communities and other groups of people see these changes. They have lived here for a long time and have seen how taking care of nature is important.
 Choose 1 of these and research how our actions and a warmer Earth are changing things like:
Water (Hydrosphere): Are lakes and rivers changing? Is there enough clean water? How do these changes affect how people live and their traditions?
Land (Geosphere): Is the soil changing? Are there more floods or dry times? How does this change the plants and animals and the way people use the land?
Living Things (Biosphere): Are some plants and animals having trouble? Are there fewer of certain animals or trees that are important to people?
Air (Atmosphere): Is the air getting dirtier? How does this affect our health and the weather?"
Research Keywords
General Keywords (Use with specific system words below):
Minnesota climate change
Warm weather impact Minnesota
Pollution in Minnesota
Unhealthy practices Minnesota
American Indian stories Minnesota nature
Ojibwe ways nature
Dakota ways nature
Minnesota Tribes environment
[Name of specific Minnesota Tribe] and nature
Traditional knowledge Minnesota environment
How people long ago used nature Minnesota
Keywords for Water (Hydrosphere):
Minnesota lakes changing
Rivers polluted Minnesota
Clean water Minnesota Native Americans
Ojibwe word for water (nibi) and changes
Water traditions Minnesota Tribes
Drought impact Minnesota water
Floods Minnesota changing water
Keywords for Living Things (Biosphere):
Minnesota animals changing
Plants disappearing Minnesota
Ojibwe word for birch tree (wiigwaas) and decline
Animals important to Native Americans Minnesota
Changes to fish in Minnesota lakes
Warmer weather and Minnesota plants
Keywords for Air (Atmosphere):
Air pollution Minnesota
Smoke and air Minnesota
Weather changes Minnesota
Traditional knowledge Minnesota weather
How air quality affects health Minnesota
Keywords for Land (Geosphere):
Minnesota soil changes
Floods and land Minnesota
Dry times Minnesota land
Native American use of land Minnesota
Changes to forests Minnesota
Mining impact Minnesota land
More Tips:
Look for stories and information from Native American websites or groups in Minnesota.
Search for what people who lived here a long time ago knew about nature.
Think about how changes in nature might affect the way people live and their traditions.