activities - climate change

7/27/2019 Activities - Climate Change

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Student Number ___-___-___ Name _________ Page 43 Unit 3 Lesson 4

Environmental Concerns

Activity 1. What are the biggest problems the world is facing at the moment?

Activity 2. Note Taking from Video

What When Where

Why Who Result


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Activity 3. With your partner match the words to the definitions below using the pictures on the next page

to help you.

climate change (no picture) greenhouse effect rises

global warming atmosphere emissions

extinction natural variation eco-systems

1. The process in which gases in the atmosphere trap the sun's heat. __________________

2. A change in the earth's climate over a period of time. __________________

3.

When the average temperature on Earth is getting hotter. __________________

4. A verb or noun which is a synonym of increase. __________________

5. Greenhouse gases caused by human activity. __________________

6. A system of plants and animals living together. __________________

7. When a type of plant or animal disappears completely. __________________

8. The layer of gases surrounding Earth. __________________

9.

Normal or expected changes. __________________


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Greenhouse EffectGlobal Warming

Extinction

Eco-system

Emissions

Rises

Natural Variation


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Activity 4 Taking Notes.

Read the article then look at the students notes underneath.

Look at the notes two people took about the article. Which do you think are better and why? Example 1 or

example 2? Discuss with your partner.

Example 1

We must understand that weather and climate are different.

The greenhouse effect is Earths atmosphere letting in energy from the Sun and stopping it going back

into space.

Because of humans the atmosphere is keeping in more of the suns energy, making Earth warmer and

creating climate change.

1) What is Climate Change?We must understand that weather and climate are different. Weather is the temperature, precipitation

(rain, hail, sleet and snow) and wind, which changes over short periods, for example every hour and

every day. Climate is the average weather and how it changes over long time periods, for example 10

years.

The greenhouse effect is how Earth is kept warm. Earths atmosphere lets in energy from the Sun and

stops it going back into space. The problem is that because of changes to the environment caused by

humans the atmosphere is keeping in more of the suns energy, making Earth warmer and creating

climate change.

Example 2

- weather/climate different short term vs. long term

- Greenhouse effect natural process, keeps earth warm enough!

- people changing balance climate change


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Activity 5

1) Make notes to answer your question below; you must use the word(s) underlined.

2) Speak to other members of class to find the answers to the other questions.

2) How are we causing climate change?

Human activities, like travelling by car, eating hamburgers or heating water in the home

have led to an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing an enhanced

greenhouse effect and extra warming.

As a result, over the past century there has been an increase in average temperatures.

Globally, the ten hottest years on record have all been since 1997.

1) What is climate change?

climate change


- Greenhouse effect natural process, keeps earth warm

enough!


2) How are we causing climate

change?

atmosphere green house effect

3) What will happen if we dont

reduce emissions?

eco-system extinction

4) But isnt the climate always

changing?

natural variation rises

5) Has global warming stopped?

global warming

6) How can I help?

emissions


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Activity 5



4) But isnt the climate always changing?

Yes. There is natural variation in Earths climate but the current climate change is very

unusual as it is NOT part of a natural cycle.

Natural factors include volcanic eruptions and aerosols. The natural climate has periods

with little or no warming and other periods with very rapid warming. However, there is a

trend of rising temperatures that is almost certainly caused by mans activities.


climate change



enough!


2) How are we causing climate change?


3) What will happen if we dont reduce

emissions?

eco-systems extinction

4) But isnt the climate always changing?

natural variation rising


global warming

6) How can I help?

emissions


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Activity 5



3) What will happen if we dont reduce emissions?

If emissions continue to grow at present rates, CO2 levels in the air will increase. Unless

we limit emissions, global temperature could rise as much as 7 C by the end of the

century and push many of the worlds great ecosystems (such as coral reefs and

rainforests) to irreversible decline.

Even if global temperatures rise by only 2 C, 2030% of animals could face extinction.

We can expect to see serious effects on our environment, food and water supplies, and

health.


climate change



enough!



change?



reduce emissions?



changing?



global warming

6) How can I help?

emissions


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Activity 5




No. The 10 warmest years on record have occurred since 1997. Global warming does not

mean that each year will necessarily be warmer than the last but the long-term trend is

for rising temperatures.


climate change



enough!



change?



reduce emissions?



changing?



global warming

6) How can I help?

emissions


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Activity 5



6) How can I help?

Over 40% of current CO2 emissions are caused by the choices we make as individuals.

You can switch off electrical appliances when they are not being used, walk instead of

drive, take the train instead of flying or use energy-saving light bulbs.


climate change



enough!



change?



reduce emissions?



changing?



global warming

6) How can I help?

emissions

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