Why is it happening?

Activity 6 - Global Warming. Why is it happening?

Introduction

If the students conclude that rising carbon dioxide levels are playing a major part in global warming, they should next consider the factors that are increasing carbon dioxide levels.

Students who question whether the data is sufficient to draw the conclusion that the changes are due to increasing carbon dioxide levels will wish to consider alternative reasons for temperature increases. This page also includes data on sunspot activity. Changes in the Earth's orbit and tilt are also introduced as a possible explanation.

Aims of this activity

To further develop students' skills of analysis and interpretation of data. Students to draw conclusions consistent with the evidence and to appreciate the limitations of the data.

NC Links

QCA Reference - 9G4 - To use secondary sources to answer scientific questions. To decide whether evidence is good enough to answer a question. To evaluate the evidence put forward by others. To decide whether evidence is good enough to answer a question. To discuss and evaluate conflicting evidence to arrive at a considered viewpoint.

NC PoS - Sc1 1a

Activity notes

Biomass Burn - A brief but potentially challenging activity that is designed to remind students that carbon dioxide (carbon) is recycled in the environment. Carbon dioxide levels would be far higher if cumulative factors were involved.

Carbon Cycle - An alternative approach in which students can use cut and paste facility to produce their own cycle.

Industrial emissions - This is a mind mapping (or concept mapping exercise) and can be used to familiarise students with this method of presenting their level of understanding.

Solar output - An extension activity for more able students. They can select the data for the relevant years and using the cut and paste facility to compare sun spot activity with average global temperatures.

Earth's tilt - This one is a starting point for those students who want to extend their research into the causes of global warming.

Resources needed

Double click on the links below to retrieve:

Why is it happening?

The PC requires Excel, preferably at least 97.

There is software that allows the user to manipulate ideas (mind mapping). A simple shareware version is available for download (emagic), free for use in schools. An excellent piece of software has been used to create the image on the 'Industrial Emissions' activity page but it has to be purchased. A 30 day trial version is available for download.

Internet image search facility, e.g. Altavista for 'Carbon Cycle' activity.

Produced by Nick Falk

next activity

		Introduction
		If the students conclude that rising carbon dioxide levels are playing a major part in global warming, they should next consider the factors that are increasing carbon dioxide levels. Students who question whether the data is sufficient to draw the conclusion that the changes are due to increasing carbon dioxide levels will wish to consider alternative reasons for temperature increases. This page also includes data on sunspot activity. Changes in the Earth's orbit and tilt are also introduced as a possible explanation.
		Aims of this activity
		To further develop students' skills of analysis and interpretation of data. Students to draw conclusions consistent with the evidence and to appreciate the limitations of the data.
		NC Links
		QCA Reference - 9G4 - To use secondary sources to answer scientific questions. To decide whether evidence is good enough to answer a question. To evaluate the evidence put forward by others. To decide whether evidence is good enough to answer a question. To discuss and evaluate conflicting evidence to arrive at a considered viewpoint.
		NC PoS - Sc1 1a
		Activity notes
		Biomass Burn - A brief but potentially challenging activity that is designed to remind students that carbon dioxide (carbon) is recycled in the environment. Carbon dioxide levels would be far higher if cumulative factors were involved. Carbon Cycle - An alternative approach in which students can use cut and paste facility to produce their own cycle. Industrial emissions - This is a mind mapping (or concept mapping exercise) and can be used to familiarise students with this method of presenting their level of understanding. Solar output - An extension activity for more able students. They can select the data for the relevant years and using the cut and paste facility to compare sun spot activity with average global temperatures. Earth's tilt - This one is a starting point for those students who want to extend their research into the causes of global warming.
		Resources needed
		Double click on the links below to retrieve: Why is it happening? The PC requires Excel, preferably at least 97. There is software that allows the user to manipulate ideas (mind mapping). A simple shareware version is available for download (emagic), free for use in schools. An excellent piece of software has been used to create the image on the 'Industrial Emissions' activity page but it has to be purchased. A 30 day trial version is available for download. Internet image search facility, e.g. Altavista for 'Carbon Cycle' activity.