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CLIMATE CHANGE

Lessons 1 & 2

WHAT EVIDENCE IS THERE TO SHOW


THERE IS A RISE IN GLOBAL
TEMPERATURE?
INDICATORS AROUND THE WORLD

Lesson 1

INTRODUCTION

Whats happening to global temperatures?

GLOBAL LAND AND OCEAN TEMPERATURE ANOMALIES


Directions:
Look at the graph and write 3 things you notice about the evidence and
1 clarifying question that would help you better understand the
evidence.
*It is important to ask clarifying questions to make sure you are using
sound evidence
Clarifying Questions:
A clarifying question does not provide new information, but expands on understanding
the information that is already presented.

GRAPH INFORMATION
The graph shows average annual global temperatures since
1880 compared to long-term average (1901-2000). The zero
line represents the long-term average temperature for the
whole planet; blue and red bars show the difference above or
below average for each year. The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration collected the temperature data
from locations around the world.

Now, answer the questions about your graph as a group.

WEATHER VS. CLIMATE


Watch this video: http://www.climategen.org/ngconline
Discuss: Look back at the Global Land and Ocean Temperature
Anomalies graph from the beginning of this activity. How would you
describe the difference in global temperatures in 1909 and 1998? Can
you describe the weather of those two years? Why or why not ?

ACTIVIT Y 2

What are the indicators of the rise in global


temperature? How do you ask clarifying questions?

INDICATORS
What are the indicators that show us the global temperature is rising?
Measurements from scientists, citizens, and students like yourselves
can show us that temperatures around the world are going up. In this
activity, you will look at how measurements are made and draw
conclusions about the global temperature after looking at multiple lines
of evidence.
Discuss: Besides looking at a thermometer, what are things you see
that indicate changes in temperature?

TEMPERATURE INDICATORS FIGURES SET


Your group will receive 1-2 figures from the Temperature Indicators
Figures Set and each individual will receive a worksheet.

Study the figure(s), discover what indicators are shown, and answer the
questions on the worksheet.
Each group will present their findings to the class.

LOCAL APPLICATION AND FIGURE SUMMARY

How does this affect our local community?


Discuss:
What can we learn from multiple lines of evidence?
When looking at the figures all together, what conclusions can be drawn?

SUMMARY
These figures, when put together, provide the evidence for what
is being called global climate change, the increase in the
globes average temperature and precipitation.

WHAT FACTORS HAVE CAUSED THE


RISE IN THE GLOBAL TEMPERATURE
OVER THE LAST CENTURY?
LOOKING INTO CAUSES

Lesson 2

INTRODUCTION/REVIEW
The other day, we looked at the Global Land and Ocean
Temperature Anomalies graph.
Discuss:
Why does this graph look the way it does?
What things have happened in the past 135 years that could cause the
global temperature changes that you see? Make a list of them in your
notes (you will need them later).

TERMS
Greenhouse effect: a phenomenon in which the atmosphere of a planet
traps radiation emitted by its sun, caused by gases such as carbon
dioxide, water vapor, and methane that allow incoming sunlight to pass
through but retain heat radiated back from the planets surface.
Greenhouse gas: gases which allow direct sunlight to reach Earths
surface, but absorb the infrared energy (heat) that is reradiated to the
atmosphere. These gases include: water vapor, carbon dioxide,
methane, nitrous oxide, among others. Also referred to as heat -trapping
gases.

TERMS
Carbon dioxide: CO 2 is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through
human activities

Cumulative: increasing or increased in quantity


Emissions: the act of producing or sending out something (such as
energy or gas) from a source
Carbon sink: anything that absorbs more carbon than it releases (trees,
ocean)

VIDEO AND REFLECTION


Watch the following video about carbon dioxide, the greenhouse
effect, and greenhouse gases:
http://www.climategen.org/ngconline
Reflect in your notes and answer the following questions:
Why is the greenhouse effect important?
Why is CO 2 important?
What is the relationship between CO 2 and the greenhouse effect?
Draw a diagram of the greenhouse effect.
What human activities could decrease the negative impact of the greenhouse
effect?

ACTIVIT Y 2: CLAIM, EVIDENCE, REASONING


Today you will work together to answer this question: What is causing
the global average temperature on Earth to increase?

Each group will receive a set of Evidence Figures and each student will
receive a Claim, Evidence, Reasoning worksheet.
Read the instructions and the example format
Each individual will complete a summary for 2 figures, and then the
group will work together to share their figures
Once you are done summarizing the graphs, you will write a Claim,
Evidence, and Reasoning argument to answer the question.

CONCLUSION
Look at the chart Separating Human and Natural Influences on Climate
http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/repor t/our -changing-climate/observed-change

In your notes, answer the questions to explain your interpretation of the


figure.
As a class, discuss your conclusions and the connections you made.

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