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Students should understand the term global warming, its causes, and the ways it affects the environment.
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Scientists have determined that the planet's mean global temperature has increased 1 °C over the past 100 years (Greene,
1998). This warming trend is referred to as global warming. Global warming has resulted in the melting of some of the polar ice caps, which has resulted in an
increase in sea level.
Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs), oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, and water vapor, which are released
during the burning of fossil fuels, agriculture, and manufacturing, cause
a change in the composition of the Earth's atmosphere. The adding of
these gases into the Earth's atmosphere changes the rates of absorption and
energy transmission from the sun.
Carbon dioxide transmits shorter wavelengths of solar radiation while it
absorbs infrared (longer) wavelengths emitted by the Earth's
surface, resulting in a warming of the Earth's surface. As people become
more aware of the dangers and consequences of global warming, they also become aware that immediate steps need to be taken to prevent additional damage to the environment. People of all ages can help prevent damage to the environment. Many students are unaware there are many steps they can take to help prevent global warming. By instructing students on actions they can take, you reinforce the principles of responsible citizenship. These students may then serve as role models for other youth.
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Students will be able to do the following:
- Identify methods of conserving energy.
- Develop ideas for combating global warming.
- Expand these ideas.
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Activity
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Divide the class into cooperative learning groups who will research and develop environmental action plans for one or more of the following topics: energy use, recycling, transportation, trees, shopping, CFCs, home, and/or politics. While the students are researching these topics, they should write to several environmental groups or political organizations for additional information on their subject of study, to include respective organizations' views on the topic. (Note: Allow at least two weeks for this information to be received.) The students should compile these data and make proactive action plans to combat global warming, discuss, and implement the plans. Student research groups should report their findings and the recommendations they have developed to the class.
In order for the students to understand their contribution to the problem
of global warming, they should research energy use and recycling programs,
which take place in their own homes. To accomplish this task, students
should sketch the rooms in their homes depicting only the divisions of the
rooms. They will use sketches to record observations that will enable
them to determine what actions they can take to conserve energy in their
homes. Each of the rooms sketched by students should contain at least three
recommendations.
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- Plant a tree on the school grounds.
- Start a recycling club or program in school.
- Contact representatives for conservation organizations who are willing
to visit the school or conservation facilities the class can visit.
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Evaluate student projects for content,
originality, and practicality. Evaluate student homework in
the same manner.
Test Questions:
- Why are people so concerned with global warming?
- Why is recycling so important?
- Name three things anyone can do in his/her home to conserve energy.
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Last modified: 11-June-99
Copyright Notice
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Marine & Aquatic Pollution - Global Warming: Action Plans To Fight Global Warming