Climate Change Explained

Climate Change Explained

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, you will understand the primary causes and effects of climate change. At the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify the main greenhouse gases and their impact on Earth's climate. At the end of the lesson, you will comprehend how the carbon cycle is affected by human activity and its relation to climate change. At the end of the lesson, you will recognize the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preserving natural carbon sinks.

What do you already know about climate change?

Climate Change Definition and Causes

Climate change involves long-term alterations in temperature and weather patterns, mainly due to human activities since the Industrial Revolution.

Greenhouse Gases and Their Impact

Greenhouse gases such as CO2, CH4, and N2O trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and various environmental issues.

The Carbon Cycle and Human Activities

Human actions disrupt the natural carbon cycle, leading to an excess of CO2 in the atmosphere, which is crucial for balancing Earth's climate.

Mitigation Strategies for Climate Change

Addressing climate change requires understanding its causes and effects and taking steps to reduce emissions and protect carbon sinks.

Definition List

Climate Change: Long-term alterations in temperature and weather patterns, mainly due to human activities since the Industrial Revolution. Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming; primarily CO2, CH4, and N2O. Carbon Cycle: The natural exchange of carbon among the atmosphere, land, and oceans, crucial for balancing Earth's climate. Carbon Dioxide (CO2): A greenhouse gas emitted from burning fossil fuels and deforestation, contributing to climate change. Methane (CH4): A potent greenhouse gas released from agriculture and fossil fuel extraction, with a shorter atmospheric lifespan than CO2. Nitrous Oxide (N2O): A long-lived greenhouse gas released from industrial processes and agriculture. Global Warming: The increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to rising levels of greenhouse gases. Ocean Acidification: The decrease in ocean pH levels caused by the absorption of excess atmospheric CO2. Natural Carbon Sinks: Ecosystems that absorb more carbon than they release, such as forests and oceans.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.