Readiness Activity. (An activity to be done before viewing the video)

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1 KNOWLEDGE UNLIMITED NEWS Matters Global Warming: Hot Enough for You? Vol. 3 No. 5 About NEWSMatters Global Warming: Hot Enough for You? is one in a series of six NewsMatters programs for the school year. Each minute video in the NewsMatters series examines an issue or topic in the news. The video is supported by a poster pertaining to the topic, a teacher s guide, and regularly updated information on our website ( The NewsMatters program is designed to promote discussion and critical thinking in the classroom. NewsMatters videos will rarely, if ever, provide clear-cut conclusions about an issue. Rather, each video s goal is to leave more questions in viewers minds than answers. The supplementary materials are designed to help focus and direct these questions and to generate thought and debate about the topic. These materials are flexible. You can control the pace and length of each lesson, and you can use any, all, or none of these materials. NEWSMatters Teacher s Guide for Global Warming: Hot Enough for You? Recent scientific studies have confirmed that the average global temperature is rapidly increasing. Global Warming: "Hot Enough for You?" examines the role of human activities in causing this abrupt climate change. The video looks at the sources of greenhouse gases and how they affect the environment. It also looks at arguments about whether humans can or need to stop global warming. Ten of the following activities are designed to be reproduced. Your students can organize and complete eight of these exercises on their own. The other activities are designed for classroom participation and teacher presentation. NEWSMatters is produced by Knowledge Unlimited, Inc. Copyright 2000 by Knowledge Unlimited, Inc., all rights reserved. ISBN KNOWLEDGE UNLIMITED NEWSMatters, P.O. Box 52, Madison, WI Readiness Activity (An activity to be done before viewing the video) This activity will help your students become familiar with some of the important terms and themes in Global Warming: "Hot Enough for You?" before they watch the video. Divide the class into five groups. Assign each group three of the terms listed below. One member of each group should record an agreed-upon definition or description for each term and then present these definitions to the class for discussion. global warming carbon dioxide chlorofluorocarbon greenhouse effect nitrous oxide fossil fuels ecology methane strategic oil reserve ice cap ozone sport utility vehicle permafrost rain forest conservation

2 Discussion Questions These questions will help you and your class review important points made in the video. The questions will also give some structure to your discussions about Global Warming: "Hot Enough for You?" After your students view the video, ask them to comment on these questions. Some questions have specific answers and others are more open-ended. You may wish to use these questions as a springboard for further discussion. What might happen if the climate of the whole world became warmer? What are greenhouse gases? What greenhouse gas gets most of the blame for heating the atmosphere? What are sources of greenhouse gases? What are fossil fuels? How are fossil fuels used? What is the greenhouse effect? How do humans add to the greenhouse effect? What would happen to the living things of Earth if there were no such thing as a greenhouse effect? How much has the planet warmed in the last 100 years? How much has the average temperature risen since 1980? How does this increase compare with previous centuries? Do you think humans could adapt to a warmer planet? Could plants and animals? Do you think global warming is affecting the area where you live? How do you think warmer average temperatures might affect the area where you live? What role do rain forests play in slowing global warming? Aside from greenhouse gases, what might cause global warming? What steps are being taken to decrease the use of fossil fuels and thereby cut production of greenhouse gases? Why do people oppose laws that would force automobile and appliance manufacturers to make more energy-efficient products? by Knowledge Unlimited, Inc.

3 Greenhouse Gases reproducible activity Date Earth's atmosphere is made up of many gases. The most abundant ones are nitrogen and oxygen, which are not considered greenhouse gases. In fact, greenhouse gases make up only a small percentage of our atmosphere, but they can have a big effect on global climate. Below is a list of greenhouse gases. Use your school library, encyclopedias, the Internet, and other reference sources to research these gases. After each name below, write the names of several sources of the gas. For example, a source for carbon dioxide is human respiration (breathing). carbon dioxide chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) methane nitrous oxide ozone water vapor Now that you know the sources of greenhouse gases, discuss ways these gases can be reduced in the atmosphere by Knowledge Unlimited, Inc. 3

4 Fossil Fuels reproducible activity Date Fossil fuels are an important source of energy around the world, as well as a major source of greenhouse gases. Use your school library, encyclopedias, the Internet, and other reference sources to research fossil fuels. Then answer each of the following questions with a sentence or two. What are fossil fuels? How were these fuels formed? How are they used? Why are fossil fuels a major source of carbon dioxide? What other gases, besides carbon dioxide, do fossil fuels release into the air? Besides contributing to global warming, the use of fossil fuels causes other problems. Discuss these problems and how they might be solved by Knowledge Unlimited, Inc.

5 Alternative Energy Sources reproducible activity Date Fossil fuels are a nonrenewable source of energy. There is no way that they can be replaced as fast as they are used. In the 1970s, many nations, including the United States experienced gas and oil shortages, which showed what might happen when the world begins to run out of fossil fuels. Gasoline and heating oil became expensive, and, in some cases, were not available. People were forced to reduce their use of heating oils and gasoline. As a result, Americans began driving smaller cars, and auto makers began to design cars that got better gas mileage. People also became very interested in non-fossil-fuel energy sources. Here is a list of alternative sources of energy. Research these sources, using the library, encyclopedias, magazines, newspapers, or the Internet. After each name on the list write a sentence or two telling how this energy source is harnessed and what it is used for. For instance, what kind of machine is used to capture wind energy? bioenergy (chiefly crops and forest sources) hydrogen solar energy wind energy water energy water vapor Are any of these energy sources used in your community? Have any of these sources proved to be practical? What are the disadvantages of any or all of these sources? Do any of these energy sources create greenhouse gases? Do any cause pollution? Do you think worries about the greenhouse effect will spark more interest in these alternative sources of energy? 2000 by Knowledge Unlimited, Inc. 5

6 Rain Forests reproducible activity Date Rain forests are considered "sinks" for carbon dioxide (CO2). This means they take in more carbon dioxide than they release. Their ability to store CO2 makes them valuable for reducing greenhouse gases, and this is one reason that many people are concerned about saving the rain forests. Many of the world's rain forests, however, are in places where people think they need the forest land for agriculture or the trees for lumber. Use the library and other sources to research rain forests. Then on the world map above shade or color in the major rain forests of the world. On another piece of paper, write brief answers to the following questions. In what countries are most of the rain forests located? Are these rain forest countries rich or poor? Do you think the richer nations are doing a better or worse job of preserving rain forests than the poorer countries? Explain your answer. In addition to being carbon dioxide sinks, why are rain forests important? What can be done to help poorer nations so that their people don't destroy rain forests for crop and grazing land? by Knowledge Unlimited, Inc.

7 Oceans reproducible activity Many articles and books about global warming say it will cause ocean levels to rise. Melting polar ice caps and glaciers and icebergs breaking off Antarctica would cause this rise, In addition, warmer water takes up more space than cold water. Some climate experts think global warming will cause large-scale flooding of coastal areas. Since you probably have already read or heard about the possibility of flooding caused by global warming, let's look at the other effects that global warming might have on the ocean. Research the ocean, using the library, Internet, and other sources. Then as a class, discuss the following statements and questions. 1. Like rain forests, the ocean is a "sink," or holding place for large amounts of carbon dioxide. If the ocean becomes warmer, will it hold or release this carbon dioxide? 2. What might be the effect of global warming on the plankton in the ocean? How might the effects on plankton affect other ocean animals? 3. Global warming may cause greater evaporation of ocean water. How might more water vapor in the atmosphere affect climate and weather? How might more clouds affect climate and weather? 4. How might global warming affect ocean currents? How might ocean currents affect weather? 5. Are there changes in the oceans that might benefit humans, or some segment of Earth's human population? Are there any such changes that might benefit some segment of the world's animals? If so, what are these benefits? 6. Rising ocean levels could mean that sea water would get into fresh-water rivers and bays. What do you think would happen in these areas? INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY Make a poster showing the effects of global warming on the oceans by Knowledge Unlimited, Inc. 7

8 Temperatures and Computers reproducible activity Some scientists say there isn't enough evidence to prove that global warming is occurring, or that it is caused by humans. One of the problems they see in the theory of global warming has to do with temperature readings. Temperature readings on the surface of the planet are getting higher, but the temperature of Earth's atmosphere is not increasing. Temperature readings are recorded at many places, but not everywhere, on the planet s surface. Satellites orbiting Earth take atmospheric temperature readings over a large area. Another problem with forecasting global warming is that the predictions are based on computer modeling. Computers make estimates based on all the information that scientists feed into them. Some experts say there really isn't enough information available to make accurate forecasts. Choose one of these topics atmospheric temperature readings or computer modeling to write about in a brief essay on a separate piece of paper. Decide if you agree or disagree with those experts who doubt global warming is occurring. You will probably need to do further research on the topic. If you choose to write about temperature readings, consider these things: Would the atmosphere heat up before the planet's surface does if global warming is really occurring? What things in the atmosphere might cause it to cool? Are there enough temperature readings on the surface of the planet to show the planet is heating up? If you choose to write about computer modeling, consider these things: What kinds of information would scientists feed into the computers? What kinds of things would it be impossible for climate experts to know? What other problems might there be with computer modeling? by Knowledge Unlimited, Inc.

9 Natural Causes of Climate Changes reproducible activity Date The global climate changed many times before humans ever began creating greenhouse gases, and sometimes it changed very rapidly within a few decades. Few people would say human activities are the only cause of global warming. There are many natural causes of climate changes that could be contributing to the current warming. Even the members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, who recently concluded that average temperatures at the end of the 20th century were one degree hotter than the century before, would not definitely say that human activities caused global warming. Many scientists think that increased greenhouse gases and other, natural factors are heating up the planet. Let's look at some of the natural causes of climate and long-term weather changes. Research each of the "natural causes" listed below. Write a few sentences explaining what it is and how it affects the climate. Use a separate sheet of paper if necessary. Ocean currents Oscillation (the movement of water from top to bottom) of the oceans Sun flares Sun spots Tilt of the Earth Volcanic eruptions How much do you think any or all of these natural causes are contributing to the most recent rise in global temperatures? 2000 by Knowledge Unlimited, Inc. 9

10 Cartoons reproducible activity Date Cartoons are a different way to look at an issue. Sometimes they are funny, but mostly they sum up the issue quickly with a simple drawing and few words. The two cartoons below are about the environment. Use the space below each cartoon to explain the point the cartoon is trying to make. Do you think the cartoonists make their points effectively? Why or why not? What do these cartoons say about global warming or air pollution? Of these cartoons, which one do you think makes the most important point about global warming? Why? by Knowledge Unlimited, Inc.

11 Hardiness Zones reproducible activity What if the average temperature where you live were only a little higher? Here's a map that might help you understand why only a few degrees in temperature can make a difference. This is a United States Department of Agriculture plant hardiness map. Certain plants are able to survive within each hardiness zone. Some plants, however, can survive in several zones. In general, the winter temperatures of each zone are 10 degrees colder than the zone to its south. Locate the zone in which you live. You probably know the kinds of plants and wildlife that live in your area. Now look at the zone that is directly to the south of your zone. Research the kinds of plants and animals that live there. (If you live in Zone 9 or 10, research the regions to the south of yours, that is, northern Mexico or the Caribbean islands.) On a separate piece of paper, make up the following lists and bring them to class. List 1 Animals and plants native to your zone List 2 Food crops, vegetables, and fruits grown in your area List 3 Animals and plants native to the zone south of yours 9 10 List 4 Food crops, vegetables, and fruits grown in the zone south of yours List 5 Any other differences related to temperature or weather that you can find or think of between the two zones What are the differences between the two zones? Would you have to change your lifestyle if it got warmer in your home zone? 2000 by Knowledge Unlimited, Inc

12 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs reproducible activity Date Recent reports on the global climate say that average temperatures have increased about one degree in the last 100 years, and half of that increase has been since Because global warming seems to be getting worse, you might think that no one is doing anything about it. Actually, private citizens, businesses, factories, and governments are trying to make the air cleaner. Research the attempts made since 1980 to slow global warming. Specifically, look at the greenhouse-gas-reduction programs started by the U.S. government and the agreements that our leaders have made with other countries. Examples include the 1997 Kyoto accord and new Environmental Protection Agency rules to curb automobile emissions. Select a program or agreement that you think is a good one or a bad one. In the space below write an editorial that supports or opposes the program. How can all the countries of the world work together to cut greenhouse gases? Is or isn't it fair to make every country stop doing the things that create greenhouse gases? by Knowledge Unlimited, Inc.