In Climate Change & Animals, students will explore the impact of the changing climate on animals across the world through the lens of work carried out by ZSL's own scientists. Following a self-led investigation of real results collected by scientists in ZSL's Institute of Zoology, students are empowered to make a difference through a discussion of what they can do to reduce their impact. 

Objects from the natural world used in this session are loaned to us by HM Revenue and Customs.

Age: KS4 (14 - 16 years) Duration: 55 minutes Capacity: 35 students Indoor Workshop
Coral Reef

Intended Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to:

  • Recall the science behind the greenhouse effect and give examples of how humans ‘enhance’ the greenhouse effect
  • Discuss a selection of common myths surrounding climate change
  • Give examples of the risks of climate change on animals, including humans    
  • Give one example of a ZSL project that involves climate change research
  • Understand what they can do to reduce their carbon footprint   

Online Teaching Resources:

Support your students' learning before, during or after a visit with our online teaching resources.

AQA GCSE Biology (8461) Specification Links
4.7.2 Organisation of an ecosystem 4.7.2.4 Impact of environmental change
  • Students should be able to evaluate the impact of environmental changes on the distribution of species in an ecosystem given appropriate information.
  • The changes may be seasonal, geographic or caused by human interaction.
4.7.3 Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems 4.7.3.1 Biodiversity
  • The future of the human species on Earth relies on us maintaining a good level of biodiversity. Many human activities are reducing biodiversity and only recently have measures been taken to try to stop this reduction.
4.7.3.5 Global warming
  • Students should be able to describe some of the biological consequences of global warming.
  • Levels of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere are increasing, and contribute to ‘global warming’.
OCR GCSE (9-1) Gateway Science Biology A Specification links
Topic B6: Global challenges B6.1 Monitoring and maintaining the environment
  • B6.1d evaluate the evidence for the impact of environmental changes on the distribution of organisms, with reference to water and atmospheric gases
B6.2 Feeding the human race
  • B6.2a describe some of the biological factors affecting levels of food security
Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Biology Specification Links
Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles
  • 9.10 Explain the benefits of maintaining local and global biodiversity, including the conservation of animal species and the impact of reforestation