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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
- How Trump Could Upend Electric Car Sales
- Newsom Challenges Trump on Electric Vehicle Tax Credits
- A Climate Change
- Donate This Holiday Season. Biodiversity Needs Your Help.
- In-Air Emergencies Can Cause Lasting Trauma
- World Seeks an End to Plastic Pollution at Talks in South Korea
- Nations at COP29 Climate Summit Agree to Annual $300 Billion Pledge
Climate Change News from The Guardian
- I'm glad we got a deal at Cop29 – but western nations stood in the way of a much better one | Mukhtar Babayev
- China was willing to offer more in climate finance, says Cop29 president
- Storm Bert: forecasters and politicians criticised after devastating floods
- Multilateralism faces a toxic brew of debt, climate crisis and war. It’s time for a reboot | Mo Ibrahim
- Live at the Port of Newcastle, it’s aquatic ecolarrikins vs gigantic fossil fuel death ships | First Dog on the Moon
- A cool flame: how Gaia theory was born out of a secret love affair – podcast
- A mystery in Finnish Lapland, and what it means for the climate crisis – podcast
Climate Solutions from Union of Concerned Scientists
- A Busy Legislative Season in California Adds Up to a More Climate Proof Future
- The Environmental Protection Agency Needs Protecting
- Danger Season 2024: Deadly Heat Waves, Wildfires, Hurricanes and Flooding Become More Frequent as Climate Crisis Advances
- It’s Time for OSHA to Finalize a Strong Heat Health Standard to Protect Workers: Here’s How You Can Help.
- Hope Amidst the Heat: Massachusetts’ New Legislation to Combat Climate Crisis and Protect Communities
- Five Ways the Fossil Fuel Industry Tries to Co-opt UN Climate COPs
- COP29 in Critical Phase as Nations Seek Agreement on Climate Finance Goal
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.