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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
- Trump Targeted Scientists in His First Term. This Time, They’re Prepared.
- L.A. Fires Revive Calls for a ‘Climate Superfund’ Law in California
- The Stable World Order Has Passed. What’s Next?
- The Next Threat to L.A.? Rainfall That Could Cause Landslides
- Biden Administration Creates Final Limits for Oil Drillers in Alaska
- More Americans Are Missing Payments and Losing Home Insurance
- Fake Meat Is Processed. What Does That Mean for Its Health Benefits.
Climate Change News from The Guardian
- ‘It was built for this’: how design helped spare some homes from the LA wildfires
- Martin Rowson on the record leap in global CO2 levels – cartoon
- Don’t Look Up director says ‘half a billion people’ have now seen film despite critics
- ‘It’s going to be rough’: what Trump’s response to LA fires portends for future climate disasters
- Weatherwatch: Could small nuclear reactors help curb extreme weather?
- Wildfires drive record leap in global level of climate-heating CO2
- LA wildfires: evacuees warned against returning to homes due to toxic waste
Climate Solutions from Union of Concerned Scientists
- I Didn’t Lose My Home in the Fires…But Can I Drink the Water?
- Mass Deportation Is an Inhumane Policy and Bad for the United States
- What Does “Best Available Science” Mean?
- Trump’s Pick for Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, is Wrong on Purpose. Here are the Facts.
- Ask A Scientist: How Can Scientists Drive Change Through Climate Lawsuits?
- Six Facts About Water and Wildfire in the West
- Climate Science Deniers and Fossil Fuel Greenwashing: Danger in Trump’s Second Term
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.