Resources for Activity 84: The Global Climate
Student Pages
Mauna Loa Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations
Earth & Sky: Transcripts from the International Science Radio Program
Saving a Ton of CO2
Earth & Sky Radio Correlations
This activity can be supplemented with related Earth & Sky radio shows that you can download for use in your classroom. Learn about the PLT and Earth & Sky Initiative.
Related Earth & Sky Shows:
- Climate Study – Part 1: Mimicing Global Warming in Colorado Meadow
- Climate Study – Part 2: Global Warming’s Effect on Plants
- Mauna Loa Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations
- Neil Sampson Says Climate Change Speeding Flux of Forest Ecosystems
- Neil Sampson on How Carbon Offsets Could be Boon to Private Forest Owners
- Sally Collins: 'No one expected forest fires to become so big a factor, so quickly'
- Brendan Kelly Explains Why Arctic Seals Vulnerable to Fast Past of Change
- Jerry Melillo on Scientists Working to Document U.S. Climate Impacts
Additional Resources
Tracking Climate Change
While record temperatures, snowfalls, and rainfalls dominate the news in many parts of the country, check out the Digital Dozen pick Global Warming Facts and Our Future to learn about the greenhouse effect, the carbon cycle, and more. This site is part of the new Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Science. (Subscription required)
Weather Maps from ENC
In these last weeks of the hurricane season, we can be sure that many newscasts will include shots of the latest weather maps showing tropical storms or hurricanes in the making. Next spring, we can expect more use of weather maps as tornado season begins on land. The Classroom Calendar entry Using Weather Maps -- Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (Grades 7-12) brings together information about the history of these maps, their use today, and what they may look like in the future. Your students will be well prepared to understand the weather news from many sources. (Subscription required)
NSTA's SciLinks Global Warming Resources
NOAA- Global Warming: Frequently Asked Questions
Great site to find questions and answers about global warming from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Questions include: Is global warming happening? and Is sea level rising? Other info provided: definitions of the greenhouse effect, the relationship of El Nińo and global warming, and sources for more information.
Extraordinary Road Trip
This educational computer program is designed to teach players how to analyze the transportation variables affecting air quality. This Web site is host to global warming studies and other news concerning fuel efficiency and air quality.
Climate: A Crisis Averted
This 4 minute movie looks back from 2056 and recounts how ordinary citizens in 2006 – realizing that global warming was a scientific fact and not a climatic theory -- take action to demand clean energy and other planet-friendly options. The movie describes how a movement called RenewUS effected real change with an action plan, or ‘call-to-arms’ on global warming. A good conversation starter for students.
Earth from Space
This Smithsonian Institution website provides students (and teachers!) access to views of conditions and events on earth that are nearly impossible to document from the Earth’s surface. The site proves interactive; explaining how satellite imagery is gathered and used to better understand the world around us.
Climate Change around the World
An article in BBC News that discusses impacts of global warming in countries around the world and in major sectors of society: health, water, food, ecosystems, coasts, and industry.
An animated guide of the Greenhouse Effect
Q&A: President Bush’s Climate Goals
An article discussing Bush’s stance on greenhouse gas reduction before heading into the May 2007 G8 Summit.
Carbon Cycle Activity (similar to “Water Wonders” Water Cycle activity) developed by Carlyn Nichols, PLT educator in Seward, Alaska. Helps relate the carbon cycle to climate change.
Energyhog.org - The Alliance to Save Energy’s Energy Hog campaign is educating teachers, kids and parents about energy efficiency. Why? Saving energy lessens our dependence on foreign oil, improves our air and water quality, and reduces our energy bills. To help spread energy efficiency in the classroom, print out Student and Teacher Guides or request activity worksheets, bookmarks or tattoos from Erin O’Sullivan via email, eosullivan@ase.org. Also, families can play energy-efficiency games online or try the Scavenger Hunt.
Earth Conservation Plan (ECP) Carbon and Lifestyle Calculator
Participants can take a three minute test to determine your contribution to global climate change. Upon completion of the test, participants can then make pledges to reduce their impact and score. With each change and commitment into their everyday lives, scores are recalculated. The ECP calculator is the first carbon calculator to allow its users to save and track each calculation and pledge, so participants can refer to the data at any time – while tracking their personal improvements over time.
Photographs related to oil. At the website, click on “Statement/CV” for the artist’s statement about his artwork, and under “Works,” click on “oil” for relevant photographs.
Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academies of Science
The museum houses three exhibits: Wonders of Science; Global Warming: Facts and Our Future; and Infectious Diseases: Evolving Challenges to Human Health. You will find teacher-tested classroom resources that integrate activities and webquests (for grades six through college) related to global warming and infectious disease into lesson planning. Teachers can engage students through virtual and in-house field trips for middle and high school students.
Article in the Seattle Times that suggests trees in Washington State are giving bizarre clues to climate change.
EPA tools let computer users "see" air quality information on a virtual globe:
Go to the Air Emissions Sources Web site: www.epa.gov/air/emissions
View information in Google Earth format about which facilities emit any of six common pollutants: http://www.epa.gov/air/emissions/where.htm
See AQI forecasts and current conditions: www.airnow.gov
View air quality information in Google Earth format: http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=google_earth.main
EPA is also using the Google Earth platform to display Acid Rain Program data: http://epa.gov/airmarkets/progress/interactivemapping.html
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