Transcript IS 126 Albert Shanker Created by Zoe Vangelatos

Global Warming
What is it and how does it impact us?
IS 126 Albert Shanker School
Created by
Zoe Vangelatos-Toufexis
February 27th, 2013
What is Global Warming?
Global warming is the rise in the average
temperature of Earth's atmosphere.
It has been on the rise since the late 19th
century and its projected to continue.
Surface temperature data for Earth as a
whole, including readings over both land
and ocean, show an increase of about
0.8°C (1.4°F) over the period 1901─2010
and about 0.5°C (0.9°F) over the period
1979–2010.
Step 1 of the PPA: Define the Problem
What are greenhouse gases?
What is the greenhouse effect?
• Greenhouse gasses are gasses in the
earth’s atmosphere that collect heat and light
from the sun. With too many greenhouse
gasses in the air, the earth’s atmosphere will
trap too much heat and the atmosphere will
get too hot. As a result people, animals, and
plants would be impacted.
• The greenhouse effect is when the
temperature rises because the sun’s heat and
light is trapped in the earth’s atmosphere.
Step 1 of the PPA: Define the Problem
How do people contribute
to greenhouse gasses?
• Burning natural gas, coal and oil -including gasoline for
automobile engines-raises the level of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere.
• Some farming practices and land-use changes increase the
levels of methane and nitrous oxide.
• Many factories produce long-lasting industrial gases that
do not occur naturally, yet contribute significantly to the
enhanced greenhouse effect and "global warming" that is
currently under way.
• Deforestation also contributes to global warming. Trees use
carbon dioxide and give off oxygen in its place, which helps to
create the optimal balance of gases in the atmosphere. As more
forests are logged for timber or cut down to make way for
farming, however, there are fewer trees to perform this critical
function.
• Population growth is another factor in global warming,
because as more people use fossil fuels for heat, transportation
and manufacturing the level of greenhouse gases continues to
increase. As more farming occurs to feed millions of new people,
more greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere.
Step 3 of the PPA: Identify the Causes
Annual world greenhouse gas
emissions, in 2005
Step 3 of the PPA: Identify the Causes
Existing Policy on
Global Warming
• Keep the door shut to any room that is not being
used, saving the energy to heat that room.
• Help promote community carpooling.
• Take public transit whenever possible.
• When buying appliances, look for the
EPA/Department of Energy’s new Energy Star
label.
• Use cars and light trucks that get good gas
mileage. In fact tell your friends that driving a
sports utility vehicle adds to global warming and
pollution
Step 4 of the PPA: Examine Existing Policy
Evaluate Existing Policies
on Global Warming
TASK
Students will work in pairs to gather data,
using the internet and other sources, relating
to the existing policies on global warming.
The students will complete the Worksheet
and present their findings, to the class, by
creating a poster, powerpoint, skit or
newspaper article.
Step 4 of the PPA: Examine Existing Policy
Homework
• Create a poster with some new
policies on global warming.
• Think about what we as a class or a
as a school can do to help promote
new ways to reduce Global Warming.
Step 5 of the PPA: Develop New Solutions