Understanding Climate Change: Greenhouse Gases and the Carbon Cycle

• Mathematics
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Understanding Climate Change: Greenhouse Gases and the Carbon Cycle

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to explain the concept of climate change. At the end of the lesson, you will be able to classify different greenhouse gases and their environmental impacts. At the end of the lesson, you will be able to describe the carbon cycle and its role in climate change.

What do you already know about climate change and greenhouse gases?

Definition of Climate Change

A long-term change in the Earth's climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature.

Classification of Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Environmental Impact of Greenhouse Gases

Main greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases. Each varies in its ability to trap heat in the atmosphere.

Explanation of the Carbon Cycle

The series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment, involving the incorporation of carbon dioxide into living tissue by photosynthesis and its return to the atmosphere through respiration, decay of dead organisms, and burning of fossil fuels.

Contribution of Carbon Cycle to Climate Change

Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have altered the carbon cycle, increasing atmospheric CO2 levels and contributing to global warming.

Definition List

Climate Change: A long-term change in the Earth's climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature. Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect. Carbon Cycle: The series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment, chiefly involving the incorporation of carbon dioxide into living tissue by photosynthesis and its return to the atmosphere through respiration, the decay of dead organisms, and the burning of fossil fuels. Global Warming: An increase in the Earth's average surface temperature due to rising levels of greenhouse gases.

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.