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Teaching Resources for Climate Change
Classroom Activities
Introduction to Global Warming
To begin this minds-on analysis and discussion activity, students learn about the correlated increases in global temperatures and CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere. Next, students evaluate an example that illustrates that correlation does not necessarily imply causation.
Then, students analyze several types of evidence to test the hypothesis that increased CO2 in the atmosphere has been a major cause of the increase in global temperatures. This activity concludes with a very brief discussion of how global warming has contributed to harmful effects (e.g., increased flooding) and possible student actions to reduce these harmful effects.
Food and Climate Change – How can we feed a growing world population without increasing global warming?
In this analysis and discussion activity, students learn how food production results in the release of three greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4). Students analyze carbon and nitrogen cycles to understand how agriculture results in increased CO2 and N2O in the atmosphere.
Students interpret data concerning the very different amounts of greenhouse gases released during the production of various types of food; they apply concepts related to trophic pyramids and they learn about CH4 release by ruminants.
Finally, students propose, research, and evaluate strategies to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that will be released during future production of food for the world’s growing population.
Global Warming News from the New York Times
- Can Fees on Polluting Cars Clean the Air? London Has New Evidence.
- 6 Paperbacks to Read This Week
- A Test for Harris: How to Talk About the Green New Deal
- The Olympics Need to Change as the Climate Changes
- Earth’s Hottest Days Ever
- Western Wildfire Smoke Reaches the East Coast
- La contaminación de los almacenes de compras por internet se nota desde el espacio
Climate Change News from The Guardian
- Ed Miliband says Labour will honour pledge of £11.6bn in overseas climate aid
- Asphalt burns, delirium, body bags: extreme heat overwhelms ERs across US
- Alberta premier fights tears over Canada wildfires despite climate crisis denial
- Northern Scotland’s Flow Country becomes world heritage site
- Ed Miliband: people must be persuaded of need for pylons near homes
- Wildlife enthusiasts called on to help record dolphins and whales on UK coast
- Climate hero or villain? Fossil fuel frenzy challenges Norway’s green image
Climate Solutions from Union of Concerned Scientists
- Climate Change Fuels Catastrophic Wildfires Across the Western U.S. and Canada
- Plenty of Heat and No AC for Olympians—Unless Your Country Can Afford to Bring Its Own
- Twisters, and the Elephant in the Room
- Ask a Scientist: What Happens When Sea Level Rise Comes for Public Housing?
- Ripe for Disaster Declarations: Heat, Wildfire Smoke…and Death Data
- How the Supreme Court’s Chevron Decision Benefits Big Oil and Gas
- Infrastructure at Risk in Your Hometown: New Map Shows What Will Flood as Sea Level Rises
Resources for Teaching and Learning about Climate Change
This annotated list includes resources that can help your students to develop a scientifically accurate understanding of the causes and consequences of global warming and climate change. This list also includes resources for learning about how to reduce greenhouse gases and how to cope with the harmful effects of climate change. When learning about climate change, it is important for students to engage with proposals to mitigate and adapt to climate change, so they can feel energized, instead of powerless. Given the nature of the topic, the approach is interdisciplinary. These resources are appropriate for middle school, high school and/or college students.