About this lesson
A closer look
In early 2026, heavy rain again soaked Northland, Auckland, and the Coromandel in New Zealand, triggering floods and road closures. Climate scientist Kevin Trenberth explained how record ocean heat, which in 2025 rose by an amount equal to more than 200 times the world's annual electricity use, loads the atmosphere with moisture and energy, fueling atmospheric rivers, storms, and marine heat waves.
Suggested grade level
Grades 9–12
Suggested teaching range based on the reading, scientific concepts, and classroom activity. Teachers can adapt the lesson for their students.
Source material
This curriculum draws on material from theconversation.com.
Read the original source (opens in a new tab)