The Chapter Challenge for Climate Change and Your Community is for students to write a series of newspaper articles that explore global climate change. As students move through the chapter, they gain the knowledge needed to write articles concerning how global climate has changed over time, what causes global climate change, and the meaning of “global warming” and how it might affect their community.
Each article must thoroughly and accurately explain each of the topic items listed in your textbook on pages E82-83, copied into your notes and listed below. They must be written in your own words (not copied from another source) and demonstrate your understanding of the topic. To do this each article should be approximately 500 words and include a relevant illustration, data table or graph. At the end of the article list all the sources you used.
Article 1 is due April 21Many people are not aware that the Earth's climate has changed continually over geological time. This article should contain information about:
- the meaning of "climate, " both regional and global;
- examples of different global climates in the geological past;
- how geologists find out about past climates, and
- a description of your community's present climate and examples of past climates in your part of the country.
Article 2 is due May 5
Some people might not be aware that human production of greenhouse gases is not the only thing that can cause the Earth's climate to change. There are many different factors that may affect how and when the Earth's climate changes. This article should include information about:
- Milankovitch cycles;
- plate tectonics;
- ocean currents, and
- carbon dioxide levels.
Article 3 is due May 9
Although almost everyone has heard the terms "greenhouse gases" and "global warming," there is a lot of confusion about what these terms actually mean. This article should contain information about:
- greenhouse gasses;
- how humans have increased the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere;
- why scientists think increased carbon dioxide might lead to global warming;
- possible effects of global warming, focusing on those that would have the greatest impact on your community, and
- why it is difficult to predict climate change.
Labels: Chapter Challenge, Climate Change
