PLANTS & ANIMALS
Resources & Activties
"Listening" to the Climate Sentinels
This child-friendly and interactive overview of the study of climate sentinel species is provided to engage elementary and middle school students in class discussion or solo reading. For further context and analysis, the complete version of SoCal Earth's "The Climate Sentinels Project" is available here: https://www.socalearth.org/sentinels
What Is a Climate Sentinel? And Why Does It Matter?
Today, we're going to dive into a really cool topic: Climate Sentinels.
Now, you might be wondering, "What's a climate sentinel?" Imagine you had a superhero that could tell you when something big is changing in the environment. That's what a climate sentinel is—a special helper that shows us how our planet's weather patterns and ecosystems are changing.
Why Climate Sentinels Matter
Climate sentinels are important because they help us understand what’s happening to our Earth. By watching them, scientists can figure out what changes are happening, why they’re happening, and what we can do to help. This is super important, especially in places like Southern California, where nature is as wild and varied as the many adventures you can have there!
Meet Six Amazing Climate Sentinels
Let’s meet - and listen to - some of these fantastic climate sentinels. Each one has a unique story that helps us learn more about our planet.
1. Rats
Yes, rats! These little critters are more helpful than you might think. In cities and the countryside, rats can show us changes in our environment like pollution levels or changes in our weather. When we see rats moving to new areas or changing their habits, it could be a sign that their current home is being affected by climate changes.
Below we hear a rat "bruxing" - a noise rats make when they are content.
2. Mountain Lions
These big cats are like the kings and queens of California’s mountains. Mountain lions need large territories to roam, hunt, and live. As our climate changes, their homes can get too hot or too dry, forcing them to move. By watching where mountain lions go, scientists can learn a lot about the health of our ecosystems.
In this audio clip, a young cougar cub purrs - just like your cat at home!
3. Bees
Bees are buzzing little gardeners who help plants grow by pollinating them. But did you know they are also climate sentinels? When bees start to visit different plants or change their pollination patterns, it might be because the climate is affecting their natural routines. Keeping an eye on bees helps us protect our food supply and beautiful flowers.
Here is a familiar sound of summer - a bumblebee buzzing as it gathers nectar to bring back to the hive.
4. Quercus agrifolia
This might sound like a spell from a wizard's book, but it's actually the fancy name for the California live oak tree! These trees are tough and can live for hundreds of years. However, changes in rainfall and temperature can stress them out. By watching these trees, we can understand more about how our forests are coping with climate change.
Below we hear audio of oak leaves rustling as they fall to the ground each autumn.
5. Your Local Insurance Agent
Wait, what? Yes, even people can be climate sentinels! Insurance agents in your neighborhood keep an eye on how often disasters like wildfires or floods happen. This helps families and communities prepare better for such events and teaches us about the risks that are increasing because of climate change.
Below we hear former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in a recent commercial for State Farm - an insurance company that has recently reduced its insurance business in California due to rising risk from to climate change. No wonder saying the word "neighbor" is so hard for these fleeing Climate Sentinels!
6. Whales
These giant ocean wanderers are amazing indicators of ocean health. Changes in ocean temperature or acidity can affect where whales find food and how they migrate. Watching whales helps scientists monitor the health of the ocean, which is super important for everyone on the planet.
Here we listen to Blue whales singing, recorded in the Pacific Ocean by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Keep Listening to Climate Sentinels
Students should realize these climate sentinels are part of the world that we all share together. From the beaches where whales might pass by, to the mountains that cougars roam, to community parks where bees buzz around—each sentinel has a story that can help us understand our shared environment.
By listening to what these climate sentinels tell us about climate change and working together to meet their changing needs, we can all help our common home on Planet Earth remain a wonderful place to live, play, and grow.
So the next time you see a bee, a mountain lion (from a safe distance!), or even a rat, remember, they’re not just living their lives; they’re giving us important messages about our planet. And what we do with those messages can make all the difference.
Let’s be great listeners to all the climate sentinels and help keep our Earth healthy and happy!
Share a Sentinel: Can you think of any other climate sentinels? Let us know which climate sentinels are most important to you by sharing them here.