Environment and Climate

Change

Objectives

1. Form definitions of the climate changed based on prior knowledge, class discussion, and viewing diagrams.

 

2. Participate in group brainstorming sessions and class discussions related to the impact of the greenhouse effect and global warming.

 

3. Analyze ice/icebergs on film to obtain a clear understanding of the scientific process of climate change.

4. Understands global development and environmental issues

What are Greenhouse Gases? Many greenhouse gases occur naturally, such as water vapor, carbon

dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Others such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) result exclusively from human industrial processes.

Human Activities and Greenhouse Gases. Human activities also add significantly to the level of naturally

occurring greenhouse gases:

• Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere by the burning of solid waste, wood and wood products, and fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal).

• Nitrous oxide emissions occur during various agricultural and industrial processes, and when solid waste or fossil fuels are burned.

• Methane is emitted when organic waste decomposes, whether in landfills or in connection with livestock farming. Methane emissions also occur during the production and transport of fossil fuels.

Freewrite

Take five minutes to respond to the following:

Today, most scientists agree that Earth's temperature has risen over the past century and that carbon dioxide is one of the primary greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Disagreement persists, however, over whether or not global climate change is a normal environmental variation, and over how big of a problem global warming could become for the planet.

What kind of impact do you make on the environment? Whose responsibility do you think it is to take care of the planet?

Chasing Ice EEJ Focus Question:How has the use of greenhouse gases impacted the environment?

While you watch the clips from the documentary, look for five examples for your EEJ’s.

Chasing Ice Log on to Netflix and look up Chasing Ice

Chasing Ice (Found on Netflix) Watch the first nine minutes of the movie 0:00-

9:00 Then scroll to 21:00-26:05 Then 37:00-38:00 And finally watch 58:00-1:05

Visual Interactive chart of CA Click on the following link: http://www.weather.com/news/science/environment/nic

kolay-lamm-west-coast-sea-level-rise-pictures-20130711

First, read the text and scroll down on the screen. There are 28 pictures showing us what California might look like in 25 years.

Answer the following question after viewing the chart: What surprised you about the pictures?

Article

After you finish looking at the chart, go back to the wiki and click on the following link:

“As Consumerism Spreads, Earth Suffers, Study Says”

Find four to five more examples for your EEJ