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Climate change has far-reaching effects on our planet, from increasing the frequency and intensity of many extreme weather events, including flooding and drought, to changing sea temperature, ocean acidity, and sea level. In this unit, students apply concepts such as the greenhouse effect, weather variables, and thermohaline circulation to model how climate change impacts the atmosphere, the oceans, and human communities.
For each major effect of climate change studied in this unit, students examine related, long-term primary datasets. They collaborate to organize variables into tables, calculate summary statistics, and create graphical representations of climatic trends. They move from performing these key skills by hand to digitally, as they gain mathematical and technical fluency.
After organizing, analyzing, and visualizing climate data, students perform research to create a Climate Change Challenge Pledge with three relevant strategies for mitigation of personal contributions to climate change. They present their work to the school community using explanations of their data representations and justifications of the pledge to convince others to shrink their carbon footprints.
Use this unit at a glance to explore a brief outline of the materials included in this resource.
Unit Driving Question: How can we communicate evidence of climate change to convince our community to act?
Students explore climate change and global warming with multimedia. They create a model of the greenhouse effect and then refine their findings using a demonstration and interactive. Next, students research and diagram carbon sources and sinks. Finally, they organize and analyze data to draw evidence-based conclusions regarding atmospheric carbon concentrations and local emissions. This lesson is part of the Climate Change Challenge unit.
Students examine the causes and effects of extreme weather events and read to contrast weather and climate. Next, they create and revise models of an extreme weather event using knowledge of weather variables. Finally, students link extreme weather events and climate change. Students use an interactive graph and long-term datasets, as well as create their own graphical representations of weather data. This lesson is part of the Climate Change Challenge unit.
Students make and evaluate predictions related to climate change’s effects on the oceans, using evidence from videos, articles, and demonstrations. Next, they examine, analyze, and graph data on ocean acidification, sea surface temperature, and changes in sea level. Finally, students use these data and their visualizations to make evidence-based predictions and examine adaptation technologies. This lesson is part of the Climate Change Challenge unit.
Students explore the human effects of climate change and global strategies for mitigation and adaptation. Next, they track their own carbon footprint and interview school community members to identify key carbon-emitting behaviors. Finally, students design and present a Climate Change Challenge Pledge to help others in the school community commit to reducing their climate impact. This lesson is part of the Climate Change Challenge unit.
a modification of an organism or its parts that makes it more fit for existence. An adaptation is passed from generation to generation.
force per unit area exerted by the mass of the atmosphere as gravity pulls it to Earth.
series of processes in which carbon (C) atoms circulate through Earth's land, ocean, atmosphere, and interior.
greenhouse gas produced by animals during respiration and used by plants during photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide is also the byproduct of burning fossil fuels.
carbon compound (such as carbon dioxide) released into the atmosphere, often through human activity such as the burning of fossil fuels such as coal or gas.
area or ecosystem that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases.
process, area, or ecosystem that releases more carbon dioxide than it absorbs.
all weather conditions for a given location over a period of time.
person forced to leave his or her home and community because of climate change.
person who has been forced to flee his home and community due to changes in the environment, such as drought.
rare and severe events in the Earth's atmosphere, such as heat waves or powerful cyclones.
coal, oil, or natural gas. Fossil fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals.
gas in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and ozone, that absorbs solar heat reflected by the surface of the Earth, warming the atmosphere.
energy that causes a rise in temperature.
tropical storm with wind speeds of at least 119 kilometers (74 miles) per hour. Hurricanes are the same thing as typhoons, but usually located in the Atlantic Ocean region.
graph illustrating the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in Earth’s atmosphere as measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii.
mathematical value between the two extremes of a set of numbers. Also called the average.
situated in the middle.
process of becoming or making something milder and less severe.
decrease in the ocean's pH levels, caused primarily by increased carbon dioxide. Ocean acidification threatens corals and shellfish.
system in which water moves between the cold depths and warm surface in oceans throughout the world. Also called thermohaline circulation.
measure of a substance's acid or basic composition. Distilled water is neutral, a 7 on the pH scale. Acids are below 7, and bases are above.
to guarantee or promise.
difference between the smallest and largest value in a set of numbers.
large, concentrated supply or reserve.
saltiness.
base level for measuring elevations. Sea level is determined by measurements taken over a 19-year cycle.
increase in the average reach of the ocean. The current sea level rise is 1.8 millimeters (.07 inch) per year.
slant, either upward or downward, from a straight or flat path.
visible radiation from the sun.
ocean conveyor belt system in which water moves between the cold depths and warm surface in oceans throughout the world.
a violently rotating column of air that forms at the bottom of a cloud and touches the ground.
state of the atmosphere, including temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity, precipitation, and cloudiness.
movement of air (from a high pressure zone to a low pressure zone) caused by the uneven heating of the Earth by the sun.
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Climate Change
Global temperatures and sea levels are rising, and possibly contributing to larger more devastating storms. This can all be contributed to climate change. Climate change is defined as gradual changes in all the interconnected weather elements on our planet over approximately 30 years. The data shows the Earth is warming and it's up to us to make the changes necessary for a healthier planet. Use these resources in your classroom to help your students understand and take action on climate change.
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Climate 101: Cause and Effect
What causes climate change? And what are the effects of climate change? Learn the human impact and consequences of climate change for the environment, and our lives.
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Our Change to Make!
Students explore the human effects of climate change and global strategies for mitigation and adaptation. Next, they track their own carbon footprint and interview school community members to identify key carbon-emitting behaviors. Finally, students design and present a Climate Change Challenge Pledge to help others in the school community commit to reducing their climate impact. This lesson is part of the Climate Change Challenge unit.
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Living with Climate Change
In this GeoStory, you will explore how people are confronting the challenges of climate change through individual choices, community involvement, and political action.
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Climate Change
Global temperatures and sea levels are rising, and possibly contributing to larger more devastating storms. This can all be contributed to climate change. Climate change is defined as gradual changes in all the interconnected weather elements on our planet over approximately 30 years. The data shows the Earth is warming and it's up to us to make the changes necessary for a healthier planet. Use these resources in your classroom to help your students understand and take action on climate change.
-
Climate 101: Cause and Effect
What causes climate change? And what are the effects of climate change? Learn the human impact and consequences of climate change for the environment, and our lives.
-
Our Change to Make!
Students explore the human effects of climate change and global strategies for mitigation and adaptation. Next, they track their own carbon footprint and interview school community members to identify key carbon-emitting behaviors. Finally, students design and present a Climate Change Challenge Pledge to help others in the school community commit to reducing their climate impact. This lesson is part of the Climate Change Challenge unit.
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Living with Climate Change
In this GeoStory, you will explore how people are confronting the challenges of climate change through individual choices, community involvement, and political action.