Global Warming What? Why? How can you make a change?

Introduction

Welcome to your exciting adventure! You have just been

summoned by the National Climatic Data Center, (NCDC) who

are responsible for preserving, monitoring, assessing, and

providing public access to the Nation's treasure of climate and

historical weather data and information, as Environment

Consultants you are going to begin to learn about the climate,

what greanhouse gases are, the effects polution or emissions

have on the climate, and if there is anything we can do about it!

Before we get started, you need to learn the facts! Read the

article and watch a video about global warming and carbon footprints.

Then, answer the questions below. Make sure you write

thoughtful responses, you will need them when you start to

work with your group later in the project.

Reading Source:

My Carbon Footprint?

Your carbon footprint is the amount of carbon produced by all of your activities. For instance, producing the electricity that powers your video game may be putting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is given off when you ride in a gasoline powered car.

You can think of your carbon footprint as a measure of your impact on the environment. Having a small carbon footprint is better than having a large one, and a good goal is becoming what is known as “carbon neutral.” That’s when the combination of all your activities releases the same amount of CO2 as they absorb. When you are “carbon neutral,” your carbon footprint is zero.

Using less energy reduces our carbon footprint. An added advantage of using less energy is it can save money too!

Video:

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJAbATJCugs]

Please think and thoughtfully answer the following questions:

1. Write a definition for global warming in your own words.

2. Please describe what a carbon footprint is.

3. Why would it be important to know what your carbon footprint is?

4. Do you think you have a large or small carbon footprint? Why or why not?

Task

As consultants you will be placed into four groups.

The four groups will consist of:

Climate Consultants

Greenhouse Gas or Emmissions Consultants

Impact Consultants

Action Consultants

It is your responsibility to work togeher researching, collecting data, annalysing the research and data gathered, and presenting the information found.

Consultants are you certain you can handle this task? Remember, the National Climatic Data Center, (NCDC) and the world is counting on you!!!

Process

The questions for each consultant is provided below as well as websites to begin your research and data collection. Use your research, data along with the ideas and support of the members of your team to analyse and develop your findings into a powerful persuasive presentation.

Good luck Consultants!!!!

Climate Consultant:

Scientist know that the Earth's temperature

has changed by 1 degree over the past one hundred years.

While the earth could be changing on its own,

many of the experts on climate predict that

changes in climate are caused by some human activity.

Research and see how the climate has changed due to global warming.

What is climate?
How are weather and climate similar or different?
How would you describe the climate where you live?
Is it possible that human activity is changing the climate where you live? What are some examples.
Do you find that your activities are contributing to these changes?
How do we know the climate is changing?
What changes have already happened in the environment?

Emissions Consultant:

Once upon a time, the Earth's climate changed naturally.

Over the years, human activity has contributed to the

changes in the earth's climate through population growth,

deforestation, the burning of fossil fuels, and daily human activity.

Exactly what are these gases doing to the earth? Is this a serioous problem? You be the judge...

How is the Earth's atmosphere like a greenhouse?
What is the greenhouse effect?
How does the greenhouse effect contribute to global warming?
Give examples of greenhouse gases.
When do humans send greenhouse gases into the air?
How many tons of greenhouse gases does each person emit in the United States? What about other countries?

Impact Consultants:

The Earth's temperature has increased by almost 1 degree

over the last century, and scientists predict that

the climate may change between 2-6 more degrees

over the next hundred years. This does not sound like

much of a change, but it is enough to change the earth's

climate like never before. When the climate changes,

there may be significant impacts on things that people

depend on. As an impact consultant, research what the

changes in global climate mean for life on earth.

List 3 or more impacts of a change in regional climate.
What changes do scientist predict will occur in weather patterns?
What is expected to happen to sea levels?
Why is this expected to occur? What areas will be affected?
How might global warming affect human health?
List three ways in which our health could be endangered.
How will global warming affect our food supply?

Action Consultant:

The United States contains 4% odf the worlds

population, however, it is responsible for 22% of the

world's greenhouse gas emissions. This means that we need

to take action to help reduce and hopefully stop global warming.

What are things we can do to meet the energy needs
of the nation and the world? Energy needs such as home
heating, electricity, transportation etc...
What are things families can do around the house to use less energy and cause less polution?
What are things we can do at our schools to use less energy and cause less polution?
Instead of burning fossil fuels what are some clean energy alternatives?
Explain why these forms of energy are more environmentally friendly.

Global Warming Sites:

General Sites:

http://ecoguru.panda.org/#/lifestyle/help

http://www.fplsafetyworld.com/?ver=kkblue&utilid=fplforkids&id=16175

http://www.kidzworld.com/article/17859-the-kids-guide-to-global-warming

http://www.globalwarmingsolutions.org/basics/

http://www.neok12.com/Global-Warming.htm

http://tiki.oneworld.net/global_warming/climate_home.html

http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215471/global_warming.htm

Causes:

http://www.edf.org/climate/human-activity-causes-warming

http://www.edf.org/climate/basics-global-warming

Climate and Climate Change:

http://www.discovernewengland.org/about-new-england-usa/new-england-usa…

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/11101

http://www.edf.org/climate/climate-change-and-extreme-weather-connection

http://www.edf.org/climate/how-we-know-the-earth-is-warming

Effects:

http://www.edf.org/climate/how-we-know-the-earth-is-warming

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guides/world/global_warming/newsid_1575000/1575441.stm

Taking Action:

http://www.globalwarmingsolutions.org/personal-action/