Heat-Trapping Pollution
Articles/Websites
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Physics, Earth and Space Sciences
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Provided by Climate Central
What it is
- This article from Climate Central explains the greenhouse effect and how it has been amplified by human activity.
- Students will learn through text and data what the greenhouse gases are, how human activities release them into the atmosphere, and what impact this has on the planet.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The many visual aids included and additional links to supporting documents support student understanding of the topics covered.
- This article covers a wide range of topics while remaining concise and easy to understand.
Prerequisites
- Students should have knowledge about the Earth's atmosphere in general.
Differentiation & Implementation
- After reading the section about state and local action, language arts students can use the policy maps and other suggested resources to support a letter-writing campaign to their representatives, calling for more robust climate action.
- Students can explore this Table of Solutions to understand possible avenues for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Math classes can use the included graphs and tables for extended data analysis and interpretation.
- For a more visual and hands-on representation of the greenhouse effect, students can use this interactive simulation.
From the scientist review
The article and the associated graphs and graphics explain the greenhouse effect, how it impacts our climate, and what we can do about it. Climate Central is known for its graphics and is a great example of how to use data to explain something, in this case, climate change. Links to additional resources and related topics are linked in the article. These resources are from trusted sources, such as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
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