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Year 8 - Geography

Cities and climate change

Cities: What are they like to live in?

Unit Summary

This unit teaches pupils about how cities have grown and developed over time. Life in contrasting cities is explored through focussing on Manila and London.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe how cities cause, and are affected by, climate change.

Key Notes

  • Urban areas are vulnerable to climate impacts such as increasing temperatures.
  • Many of the world's cities are vulnerable to sea level rise.
  • Cities contribute to climate change through emissions.
  • Planners can adopt strategies that help cities mitigate the impacts of climate change and help populations adapt.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • emissions: gases released into the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide from human activity
  • mitigation: efforts to reduce or prevent the release of greenhouse gases and their effects
  • adaptation: actions taken to adjust to current or future climate impacts

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Only big cities in rich countries cause climate change.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

Urban areas are vulnerable to climate impacts such as increasing temperatures. Many of the world's cities are vulnerable to sea level rise.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'emissions'

gases released into the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide from human activity.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: Only big cities in rich countries cause climate change. Correction: Cities of all sizes, in both rich and poorer countries, contribute to climate change through emissions, especially from transport, energy use, and waste.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 8 Geography guide library.