Introduction
Examine the forces shaping Cimate Change through exploration of natural cycles and human influences. Evaluate evidence, participate in debates and reflect on the broader implications for our planet's environment and societies.
Task
By the end of this WebQuest students will:
- Differentiate Natural vs. Anthropogenic Climate Change.
- Conduct online research to gather evidence for both natural and human causes of Climate Change, critically analyzing scientific models and data.
- Work in teams to create a clear and coherent Google Slides presentation supporting their Climate Change position.
- Debate and defend their viewpoints, critically evaluating opposing arguments to deepen understanding of global issues.
Process
STEP 1: Understanding the Greenhouse Effect
Climate change refers to any long-term or permanent alteration in the Earth's climate. It results from two sources: natural Climate Change, which consists of the natural climate cycles that have always occurred throughout Earth's history and anthropogenic Climate Change, which is caused by human activities.
The Greenhouse Effect, a term used by scientist is at the core of Climate Change. Earth's temperature is controlled by the balance of energy entering and leaving its system. When sunlight hits the Earth's surface, it can either be reflected back into space or absorbed. The absorbed energy heats the planet and this energy is then emitted back into the atmosphere as heat (infrared radiation). Conversely, the sunlight that is reflected back into space does not contribute to the Earth's warming.
Certain gases in the atmosphere (water vapour, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, ozone) absorb energy, which slows down or prevents heat from escaping into space. These gases, called "greenhouse gases," function like a blanket, warming the Earth more than it would be otherwise. This natural and essential process, known as the "greenhouse effect," supports life on our planet. However, the recent increase in greenhouse gases due to human activities has altered the Earth's climate, leading to harmful impacts on human health, well-being, and ecosystems.
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Summary of the video:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R2AQzuYTytNNPUFUrJFOcK0cuQe81Oig2vFgjtukGwo/edit?tab=t.0
Useful links:
https://www.bgs.ac.uk/discovering-geology/climate-change/how-does-the-greenhouse-effect-work/
Step 2: Forming Teams and Assigning Roles for the Debate on ‘Natural vs. Anthropogenic Climate Change’
1. Students will divide into two teams (transnational), each supporting a different position for a debate:
Team A: Natural Climate Change
Team B: Anthropogenic Climate Change.
To choose a team and see instructions visit the following Google Doc: following Google Doc:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_BLv2FuFaLK2jtDZHvDw0ON2x-fhsgb8eO9HaouvV_A/edit?usp=sharing
2. Researchers add supporting evidence (ie articles, graphs) to the Padlet:
https://padlet.com/meddiet4health/debate-on-natural-vs-anthropogenic-climate-change-omdoely555glpv0f
3. Each team will work together to create a presentation in Google Slides https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1giEqYsOwSWFsoIHk01FK9kdzrVcFAtTCqQsbi586Xf0/edit?usp=sharing, including content that supports the assigned position.
4. The debate will take place in the classroom.
5. After the debate students reflect on the discussion and state whether you believe climate change is primarily caused by natural factors or human activities in the same Padlet:
https://padlet.com/meddiet4health/debate-on-natural-vs-anthropogenic-climate-change-omdoely555glpv0f
6. Students add photos from the debate in the Twinboard.
Useful links:
https://www.epa.gov/climatechange-science/causes-climate-change
https://www.ces.fau.edu/nasa/module-4/causes-2.php
https://www.yonature.com/climate-change-natural-anthropogenic-causes/
Evaluation
- Webquest evaluation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSezpix0JKiYIpDV2NnMP_okTq4jWlIFOTk-9H1ZeK5aNn62UA/viewform?usp=sf_link
- Students evaluation: data collected from the creation of the presentation, the debate and their reflections. Also, the following rubric will be used:
| Criteria | 5 - Exemplary | 4 - Proficient | 3 - Satisfactory | 2 - Developing | 1 - Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding of the Greenhouse Effect | Demonstrates a thorough and accurate understanding of the greenhouse effect, including its causes, mechanisms, and relationship to climate change. Provides clear and detailed explanations. | Demonstrates a good understanding of the greenhouse effect and its connection to climate change. Provides accurate explanations with some minor gaps or inaccuracies. | Demonstrates a basic understanding of the greenhouse effect, but may have some misconceptions or incomplete explanations. | Demonstrates a limited understanding of the greenhouse effect, with significant gaps or inaccuracies in the explanations. | Shows little to no understanding of the greenhouse effect and its relationship to climate change. |
| Use of Evidence | Effectively incorporates a wide range of relevant and credible evidence (e.g., articles, data, graphs) to support the understanding of the greenhouse effect and its impact on climate change. Evidence is well-integrated and strengthens the arguments. | Incorporates relevant and credible evidence to support the understanding of the greenhouse effect and its impact on climate change. Evidence is mostly well-integrated and supports the arguments. | Uses some relevant evidence to support the understanding of the greenhouse effect and its impact on climate change, but the evidence may be limited or not fully integrated. | Uses limited or questionable evidence to support the understanding of the greenhouse effect and its impact on climate change. Evidence is not well-integrated or may not be relevant. | Lacks the use of evidence to support the understanding of the greenhouse effect and its impact on climate change. |
| Clarity and Organization | Presents information in a clear, well-organized, and logical manner. Ideas flow smoothly, and the webquest evaluation is easy to follow and understand. | Presents information in a generally clear and organized manner, with some minor lapses in flow or organization. The webquest evaluation is mostly easy to follow and understand. | Presents information in a somewhat disorganized or unclear manner, making it difficult to follow at times. The webquest evaluation may lack coherence or flow. | Presents information in a disorganized and unclear manner, making it challenging to understand the webquest evaluation. | Presents information in a highly disorganized and unclear manner, rendering the webquest evaluation difficult to comprehend. |
| Depth of Analysis | Provides a thorough and insightful analysis of the greenhouse effect, its causes, and its relationship to climate change. Demonstrates a deep understanding of the topic and its implications. | Provides a solid analysis of the greenhouse effect, its causes, and its relationship to climate change. Demonstrates a good understanding of the topic and its implications. | Provides a basic analysis of the greenhouse effect, its causes, and its relationship to climate change. Demonstrates a limited understanding of the topic and its implications. | Provides a superficial or incomplete analysis of the greenhouse effect, its causes, and its relationship to climate change. Demonstrates a poor understanding of the topic and its implications. | Fails to provide an adequate analysis of the greenhouse effect, its causes, and its relationship to climate change. Demonstrates a lack of understanding of the topic and its implications. |
| Conclusion and Reflection | Provides a well-reasoned and insightful conclusion that synthesizes the understanding of the greenhouse effect and its impact on climate change. Includes a thoughtful reflection on the implications and potential solutions. | Provides a coherent conclusion that summarizes the understanding of the greenhouse effect and its impact on climate change. Includes a relevant reflection on the implications and potential solutions. | Provides a basic conclusion that touches on the understanding of the greenhouse effect and its impact on climate change. Reflection on implications and solutions is limited. | Provides a limited or unclear conclusion that does not adequately summarize the understanding of the greenhouse effect and its impact on climate change. Reflection on implications and solutions is lacking. | Fails to provide a conclusion or reflection on the understanding of the greenhouse effect and its impact on climate change. |
Conclusion
In this WebQuest, students collaborate on research to develop presentations that articulate arguments supported by evidence from diverse sources concerning Natural and Anthropogenic Climate Change. Through subsequent debate and reflection, participants will assess varying perspectives on the principal drivers of climate change, thereby cultivating a deeper comprehension of this significant global issue and its ramifications for ecosystems and human societies.
Credits
https://youtu.be/VYMjSule0Bw?si=CkaruGV-eu1qW8jY
https://www.bgs.ac.uk/discovering-geology/climate-change/how-does-the-greenhouse-effect-work/
https://www.epa.gov/climatechange-science/causes-climate-change
https://www.ces.fau.edu/nasa/module-4/causes-2.php
https://www.yonature.com/climate-change-natural-anthropogenic-causes/
Teacher Page
This WebQuest was edited by a teacher of 2o Esperino EPAL Acharnon (Greece) as part of the activities of the "Mediterranean Diet for Overall Health" (MedDiet4Health) Erasmus+ project (Project number: 2023-2-EL01-KA210-VET-000183592).
Through this WebQuest, students not only acquire theoretical knowledge but also apply practical skills essential for careers in food technology, health, nutrition, and related fields. They investigate how greenhouse gases trap heat and examine the role of human activity in driving climate change. By working in teams to debate natural versus anthropogenic causes, they practice research, critical thinking, and oral presentation. Using digital tools such as Google Slides and Padlet, they collaborate effectively and communicate findings with clarity. Finally, by reflecting on the ethical and practical impacts of climate change on food systems, they propose sustainable solutions—developing the adaptability and problem-solving capacity needed for future professional challenges.
This WebQuest reflects only the author’s views. The European Commission’s support for the production of this WebQuest does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.