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New Jersey's Largest Lake Threatened by Climate Change

Provided by: Eyewitness News ABC7NY |Published on: April 27, 2021

Videos Grades 6-8, 9-12

Synopsis

This video describes how Lake Hopatcong in New Jersey and the surrounding community have been affected by warming temperatures due to climate change.
The video interviews a scientist and local resident, and shows historic footage of events on the ice in the past.

Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Geography

Authors: Eyewitness News ABC7NY

Region: North Jersey

Languages: English

Positives

New Jersey is described to be one of the states most affected by climate change, which may be surprising to students.
The video is compelling because it integrates personal experiences of those living near the lake with the scientific information.
Viewers are left feeling optimistic, as the video touches on ways the community is adapting and what the state of New Jersey is doing to slow climate change.

Prerequisites

Differentiation & Implementation

Teachers could connect this resource to a biology class by exploring how the algae blooms mentioned in the video negatively affect the lake ecosystem.
The video mentions a recent commitment by the New Jersey governor to develop off-shore wind energy, which could link this video to the topic of renewable energy and the government's role in combating climate change.
The process of lakes freezing is strongly tied to water density, temperature, and wind, which could make this resource a good real-world example for a science class.
This article by Our Climate Voices describes another lake in the United States, Lake Erie, that has been impacted by climate change, specifically by harmful algae blooms.
This fun, interactive game lets students explore how human activity impacts the health of lakes, which would pair well with this video for a science lesson.
Other resources related to climate change in New Jersey include the article Climate Change in New Jersey: A Brief Introduction, the video Climate Change: What's at Stake for New Jersey?, and the video Why Chronic Floods Are Coming to New Jersey.