Climate and Biodiversity project

Climate & Biodiversity Comparisons
The Leys Primary & Nursery School

An enrichment club was set up at The Leys Primary School, with the
support of a ‘Tomorrow’s Climate Scientists’ grant’ from the Royal
Society to compare the climate and biodiversity found in and around
our school with that found in Kathmandu, Nepal.
This project explores the multiple causes of climate change, the
approaches being taken to tackle it and potential impact on
biodiversity. In order to provide a focus to the issues, air pollution
was used as the main discussion point as it is something that
communities all over the world can change – today & tomorrow.
This links in closely with several of the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs).

The SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the
United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty,
protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace
and prosperity.
The 17 SDGs are integrated—
recognizing that action in one
area will affect outcomes in
others and air quality can be
linked to several Global Goals,
including 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13.

Dr Carolyn Devereux - who
supported this project – is from
the University of Hertfordshire.
Carolyn is a lecturer in Astrophysics and explained to
students from The Leys Primary what her job involves.
She teaches Physics to university students and some of
this involves measuring and gathering data - including
climate data. Hence why Carolyn is also part of the Centre
for Climate Change Research (C3R) at the University.

Poster created by a student
at The Leys Primary
to raise awareness of
climate change

Air quality – particle pollution
Particle pollution — also called particulate matter (PM) — is made
up of particles of solids or liquids that are in the air. Some particles
are big enough (or appear dark enough) to see — for example, you
can often see smoke in the air. Others are so small that you can’t
see them in the air.
Breathing in particle pollution can be harmful to your health.
Coarse (bigger) particles, called PM 10 , can irritate your eyes, nose,
and throat. Dust from roads, farms, dry riverbeds, construction
sites, and mines are types of PM 10 .
Fine (smaller) particles, called PM 2.5 , are more dangerous because
they can get deep into your lungs - or even into your blood.

Stevenage, UK
A local newspaper article from
May 2023, highlighted that air
pollution in Stevenage was well
over the 'health limit' set out by
the World Health Organisation
(WHO), according to Friends of
the Earth data. The statistics
showed the annual concentration
of PM 2.5 in Stevenage was
significantly higher than the
WHO's 5 µg/m 3 'health limit',
sitting at 7.8 µg/m 3 .

PM 2.5 measurement -
Near Stevenage (Sandy)

Key findings
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Levels of pollution have decreased over the past 10 years
Rarely gets to levels that are deemed unhealthy for all people
The highest levels of pollution were recorded from 2016-18 during
the early parts of the year
However, 2019 appears to goes against the trend in that it has
lower levels compared to 2020. We predict this is because of the
Covid-19 lockdown when people were not allowed to leave their
homes. Therefore, reducing the numbers of cars on the road
From 2014-2019, the air pollution is greater at beginning
of the year. This could be because the colder months generally
find more people using vehicles to get around.

Kathmandu, the capital
city of Nepal, is a
‘hotspot’ of urban air
pollution in South Asia.
The reason for this is
partly to do its
geographical location:
it’s found in a bowlshaped
valley which is
surrounded by tall
mountains which trap
urban air pollutants.
Kathmandu, Nepal

PM 2.5 measurement -
Kathmandu (US Embassy)

PM 2.5 measurement -
Kathmandu (US Embassy)

Key findings
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Far higher pollution levels than recorded for Stevenage
Highest levels of pollution occur in winter months. This could be
because colder air will take longer to rise out of Kathmandu
valley
During winter months, pollution is deemed to be a health hazard
for all of the population
2020 appears to goes against the trend of decreasing over time.
This may be due to the Covid-19 pandemic when free movement
of people was restricted. Therefore, reducing the numbers of cars
and other vehicles on the road.

Click on the image for
a brief summary of
our investigations
and findings

A common narrative we see in public
discussions is that levels of air pollution
are at their highest levels in history.
With continued urbanization, denselypopulated
cities and city driving, this
narrative can be easy to believe. But for
rich countries today, such as the UK,
this is far from true. Air pollution levels
today are at some of their lowest levels
in decades.

In the scatterplot opposite we see the comparison of exposure to
PM 2.5 in 1990 (y-axis) and exposure in 2017 (x-axis).
Here we see a very strong regional split: pollution levels have fallen
across most of Europe and North America whilst pollution has
increased in recent decades across most countries in Asia and Africa.

Is climate change real?
There is unequivocal evidence that the Earth is warming at an
unprecedented rate, this includes the following parameters:
• Global temperature is rising
• The oceans are getting warmer
• The ice sheets are shrinking
• Glaciers are retreating
• Sea levels are rising

Yearly global
temperatures from
1880-2023 compared to
the twentieth-century
average. Global average
surface temperature
has risen 0.14 degrees
Fahrenheit per decade
since 1880. The rate of
warming has more than
doubled since 1981.
Data from NOAA NCEI.

Seasonal heat content
in the top half-mile of
the ocean compared to
the 1955-2006 average.
Heat content in the
global ocean has been
above-average (red
bars) since the mid-
1990s. Graph by NOAA
Climate.gov, based on
data from NOAA NCEI.

The total area of the
Arctic Ocean that was
at least 15% ice covered
each September from
1979–2023. Since 1980,
the amount of ice that
survives the summer
has declined by 13.1
percent per decade.
Data from the National
Snow and Ice Data
Center (NSIDC).

Ice loss relative to 1970
for the glaciers in the
World Glacier
Monitoring Service's
climate reference
network. Including the
preliminary values for
2019-2020, these
glaciers have lost a
volume of ice equivalent
to about 27.5 meters (90
feet) of water spread
out over each glacier.
Data from WGMS.

Seasonal sea level
compared to the 1993-
2008 average, based on
a combination of tide
gauges (light blue) and
satellite data (darker
blue). In 2020, global
mean sea level hit a
new record high: 91.3
mm (3.6 inches) above
1993 levels. Data from
UHSLC.

Benefits of exercise
The WHO recommends that children aged 5 – 17 should take part in
at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical
activity every day.
Students from all year groups at The Leys Primary (n = 370) were
asked how they travel to school to determine how much physical
activity this involves.

The survey showed
that less than 60%
of students got
some form of
exercise travelling
to and from school.

Examples of
badges made
by students
from The
Leys Primary

Poster created by a student
at The Leys Primary
to raise awareness of
climate change

Impact of exercise
on the circulatory system

Scientific investigation
Students investigated the impact of exercise on
heart rate and blood pressure.

Results

Conclusions
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Exercise causes an increase in heart rate as the
heart pumps more blood to meet the demands of
active muscles.
Blood pressure decreases slightly after exercise
due to the reduction in blood vessel stiffness
which enables blood to flow more easily.
Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health
by enhancing heart efficiency and overall blood
circulation.

Click on the image for
a brief summary of
our investigations
and findings

Benefits of active travel
Encouraging students to walk, cycle or scooter to school rather
than come by car can help them to become fitter and healthier
whilst also addressing the amount of air pollution emitted by cars.

Exercise vs air pollution
When you are physically active, you breathe more often and
take more air into your lungs than when you are inactive.
If the air quality is poor, you may breathe in a larger amount
of harmful pollutants. In addition, while exercising, you are
more likely to breathe through your
mouth rather than your nose. Unlike
the nose, the mouth is unable to
filter out certain large pollutants in
the air and stop them from entering
the lungs. Therefore, breathing
through the mouth can lead to more
pollutants entering the airways and
potentially damaging the lungs.

Long-term impact of air pollution
Long-term exposure to
polluted air can have
permanent health
effects, including
making people more
susceptible to illness
and disease. Many of
these effects may not
become apparent for
many years, but the air
children breathe today
can have a significant
impact on their health
in later life.

What can we do?

Clean Air Day is the UK's largest
campaign on air pollution.
Coordinated by Global Action Plan,
the campaign encourages schools,
businesses and communities to find
about more about air pollution and
show their support for action to
make our air cleaner and healthier
for everyone.

Whole school involvement
In advance, ‘Clean Air Day’ was promoted around the school via the
use of:
- posters
- information in school newsletter
- pledge cards
Students from the Climate Change club shared information on the
importance of reducing air pollution at KS1 and KS2 assemblies
Each class designed a Clean Air superhero and drew a comic strip
with their superhero taking action.

Poster created by a student
at The Leys Primary
to raise awareness of
climate change

Local biodiversity study

The students used iNaturalist to help them identify the plants and
animals that are found in and around their school in Stevenage
whilst also generating data for science
and conservation.
They then investigated the difference types
of species that were also found in Kathmandu and
compared the flora and fauna of the two areas.

Plants:
The Leys Primary: The plant species found in our school environment,
such as: Red Clover, Common Nettle, Ribwort Plantain and Black
Horehound are characteristic of temperate regions. These plants
thrive in cooler climates with moderate rainfall, commonly found in
European meadows and hedgerows.
Kathmandu: Kathmandu's plant species include Bougainvillea,
Hibiscus, Rhododendron and Bamboo which are adapted to
subtropical climates. These species are well-suited to
warmer temperatures and are often seen in both
natural and cultivated landscapes in South Asia.

Trees:
The Leys Primary: Trees including the Ash, Oak, Norway Maple and
Silver Maple were found in our school environment. These species
are typical of temperate forests, where they endure seasonal changes
and can withstand colder winters.
Kathmandu: In contrast, Kathmandu hosts trees such as the Bodhi,
Jacaranda, Mango and Neem which are more adapted
to the subtropical climate. These trees are resilient
to warmer temperatures and are often found in
environments with consistent heat and humidity.

Insects:
The Leys Primary: Insects found in our school environment include
the Ladybird, Meadow Brown Butterfly, Pollen Beetle and Rustic
Sailor Beetle. These species are typical of temperate ecosystems,
where they play roles in pollination and are part of the food chain in
meadows and woodlands.
Kathmandu: The insect life in Kathmandu features House Flies, Ants,
the American Cockroach and Painted Lady Butterflies. These insects
are more prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions and are
adapted to warmer, more humid environments.

Birds:
The Leys Primary: Bird species found in our school grounds include
the Blackbird, Blue Tit, Wood Pigeon, and European Robin which are
typical of temperate climates. These birds are commonly seen in
gardens, parks, and rural areas where they find ample food and
nesting sites.
Kathmandu: In Kathmandu, bird species like the House Sparrow, Rock
Pigeon, Oriental Magpie-Robin and Common Myna are prevalent.
These birds are well-adapted to urban and rural environments in
warmer climates, thriving in the subtropical conditions of the region.

Impact of climate change on biodiversity

Stevenage:
Warming Temperatures: Hertfordshire’s temperate species may struggle
with the rising temperatures associated with climate change. Plants like
Red Clover and trees such as the Oak may face stress from prolonged
periods of heat and drought, which could lead to reduced growth and
vitality. Insects and birds that are adapted to cooler climates might
decline as their habitats become less suitable, potentially leading to
shifts in species composition.
Seasonal Shifts: As seasons become less predictable, with warmer winters
and hotter summers, the timing of biological events such as flowering,
insect emergence and bird migration could be disrupted. This mismatch
could affect food availability for species, impacting their survival and
reproduction.

Kathmandu:
Increased Temperature and Humidity: While species in Kathmandu
are more adapted to warm climates, extreme heat and changes in
precipitation patterns could still pose a threat. For instance,
prolonged dry periods or more intense monsoon seasons could stress
plant species like the Bodhi tree or Bamboo, which are essential
parts of the local ecosystem.
Biodiversity Loss: The combination of changing temperatures, altered
precipitation patterns, and human activities could lead to a
reduction in biodiversity. Species that are less adaptable to rapid
changes may decline, leading to a more homogenized ecosystem
with fewer specialized species.

Click on the image for
a brief summary of
our investigations
and findings

Overall conclusion

Both Stevenage and Kathmandu face significant challenges in terms
of air quality and biodiversity, but the nature and severity of these
challenges differ due to their distinct environments.
Climate change is likely to worsen existing problems in both
regions, with Stevenage potentially facing more frequent pollution
events and changes in species distribution, while Kathmandu may
see worsening air quality and significant threats to its already
vulnerable biodiversity.
Adaptation and mitigation strategies tailored to the
specific needs of each region will be crucial in managing
these impacts.

62
Poster created by a student
at The Leys Primary
to raise awareness of
climate change

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