Global Warming

Objectives: To help protect and promote a healthy natural

environment through our actions and environment awareness among us students

To take a step for clean and green cities starting from our homes

To support government programs and laws against excessive exploitation of natural resources, and energy sources

To aid for the prevention to the damage of the environment

To be informed about the negative happenings occurring in our environment

To make a difference for the mother earth through small steps from us teenagers

Pre-test:1. 1.What is global warming? Explain it briefly in a simple way.2. In our everyday lives, how do we contribute to global warming? 3. How does global warming affect among us?4. As a teenager, what can we do to lessen the outcomes of this?5. Why do you think that most of the people are still using things that can

cause global warming even though they are aware of it? 6. What are climate change and global warming, and how are they related?7. What will happen to the earth if global warming continues?

Global warming is the phenomenon of increasing average air temperatures near the surface of Earth over the past one to two centuries. Global warming refers to an unequivocal and continuing rise in the average temperature of Earth's climate system. Since 1971, 90% of the warming has occurred in the oceans. Despite the oceans' dominant role in energy

storage, the term "global warming" is also used to refer to increases in average temperature of the air and sea at Earth's surface. 

Since the mid-20th century, climate scientists have gathered detailed observations of various weather phenomena (such as temperature, precipitation, and storms) and of related influences on climate (such as ocean currents and the atmosphere’s chemical composition). These data indicate that Earth’s climate has changed over almost every conceivable timescale since the beginning of geologic time and that, since at least the beginning of the  Industrial Revolution , the influence of human activities has been deeply woven into the very fabric of climate change.

Global Warming Causes1. Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning power plants

Our ever increasing addiction to electricity from coal burning power plants releases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions come from electricity production, and burning coal accounts for 93% of emissions from the electric utility industry .Every day, more electric gadgets flood the market, and without widespread alternative energy sources, we are highly dependent on burning coal for our personal and commercial electrical supply.

2. Carbon dioxide emissions from burning gasoline for transportation

Our modern car culture and appetite for globally sourced goods is responsible for about 33% of emissions in the U.S. With our population growing at an alarming rate, the demand for more cars and consumer goods means that we are increasing the use of fossil fuels for transportation and manufacturing. Our consumption is outpacing our discoveries of

ways to mitigate the effects, with no end in sight to our massive consumer culture.

3. Methane emissions from animals, agriculture such as rice paddies, and from Arctic seabeds

Methane is another extremely potent greenhouse gas, ranking right behind CO2. When organic matter is broken down by bacteria under oxygen-starved conditions (anaerobic decomposition) as in rice paddies, methane is produced. The process also takes place in the intestines of herbivorous animals, and with the increase in the amount of concentrated livestock production, the levels of methane released into the atmosphere is increasing. Another source of methane is methane clathrate, a compound containing large amounts of methane trapped in the crystal structure of ice. As methane escapes from the Arctic seabed, the rate of global warming will increase significantly.

4. Deforestation, especially tropical forests for wood, pulp, and farmland

The use of forests for fuel (both wood and for charcoal) is one cause of deforestation, but in the first world, our appetite for wood and paper products, our consumption of livestock grazed on former forest land, and the use of tropical forest lands for commodities like palm oil plantations contributes to the mass deforestation of our world. Forests remove and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,

and this deforestation releases large amounts of carbon, as well as reducing the amount of carbon capture on the planet.

5. Increase in usage of chemical fertilizers on croplands

In the last half of the 20th century, the use of chemical fertilizers (as opposed to the historical use of animal manure) has risen dramatically. The high rate of application of nitrogen-rich fertilizers has effects on the heat storage of cropland (nitrogen oxides have 300 times more heat-trapping capacity per unit of volume than carbon dioxide) and the run-off of excess fertilizers creates ‘dead-zones’ in our oceans. In addition to these effects, high nitrate levels in groundwater due to over-fertilization are cause for concern for human health.

Global Warming Effects1. Rise in sea levels worldwide

Scientists predict an increase in sea levels worldwide due to the melting of two massive ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland, especially on the East coast of the U.S. However, many nations around the world will experience the effects of rising sea levels, which could displace millions of

people. One nation, the Maldives, is already looking for a new home, thanks to rising sea levels.

2. More killer storms

The severity of storms such as hurricanes and cyclones is increasing, and research published in Nature found:

“Scientists have come up with the firmest evidence so far that global warming will significantly increase the intensity of the most extreme storms worldwide. The maximum wind speeds of the strongest tropical cyclones have increased significantly since 1981, according to research published in Nature this week. And the upward trend, thought to be driven by rising ocean temperatures, is unlikely to stop at any time soon.”

3. Massive crop failures

According to recent research, there is a 90% chance that 3 billion people worldwide will have to choose between moving their families to milder climes and going hungry due to climate change within 100 years.

4. Widespread extinction of species

According to research published in Nature, by 2050, rising temperatures could lead to the extinction of more than a million species. And because we can’t exist without a diverse population of species on Earth, this is scary news for humans.

This 6th mass extinction is really just a continuation of the Holocene extinction which began at the end of the last ice age and has resulted in the extinction of nearly all of the Earth’s mega fauna animals, largely as a result of human-expansion.

5. Disappearance of coral reefsA report on coral reefs from WWF says that in a worst case scenario, coral populations will collapse by 2100 due to increased temperatures and ocean acidification. The ‘bleaching’ of corals from small but prolonged rises in sea temperature is a severe danger for ocean ecosystems, and many other species in the oceans rely on coral reefs for their survival.

What to do: As a concerned student, we can:

Have a tree planting campaign To lessen and balance the

carbon dioxide in air, because we all know that trees and plants are absorbing the carbon dioxide in the air.

Revisit the plants and trees that you planted

To look or to find out, if your trees that you’ve planted are alive and grown well.

Lessen the usage of chemical materials

To lessen the chemical and carbon dioxide that can mix with air that causes too much CO2 in the atmosphere.

Use bicycle instead of using cars to avoid too much emission of Co2

To avoid too much emission of carbon dioxide from vehicles. Because cars emits smokes that has high presence of carbon dioxide.

Conserve fossil fuels

Aside from causing local air pollution from polluting particulates, the burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the

atmosphere, which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

Use methane as a fertilizer instead of wasting it The poop of the chickens and cows are added to the soil that

serves as a fertilizer that nourishes it.

Do the 3R’s or Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

To use the supply we only needed and to make things more than one use.

Use less heat and air conditioning Air cons emits carbon dioxides

that contribute to global warming.

Buy energy–efficient products Buy products locally

instead of items from far places that are transported by cars that emit co2. In this way, you helped the earth.

Use less hot water In order to reduce

the usage of energy from gas stoves and electric stoves.

Be the Change You Wish to See in Others

To be an inspiration to other people in doing good things for the earth.

GlossaryAtmosphere: a layer of gases which surrounds theEarth.Fossil fuels: fuels formed over a long time frommaterial containing carbon. The main fossil fuels arecoal, oil and natural gas.Greenhouse effect: the Sun's radiation is trapped inthe atmosphere and leads to a warming of the Earth.Greenhouse gas: a gas in the atmosphere which can trapthe heat escaping from Earth.Global warming: a continued warming of the atmosphereas a result of mankind's activities.Industrial Revolution: the rapid growth of industrywhich started in the late 18th century, made possible bythe harnessing of energy from fuels such as coal.Radiation: energy that passes from a warmer object toa cooler one.

Activities:1.1: Enumeration: Enumerate the ff.

1. Effects of Global Warming.

2. Causes of Global Warming.

3. Ways to prevent Global Warming.

1.2: Quiz: Answer the ff. Encircle the correct answer.

1. Which of the following is a greenhouse gas that is released by human activities and speeds up global warming?a. petroleumb. natural gasc. carbon dioxided. nuclear power

2. Which of the following human activities does NOT release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?a. burning fossil fuelsb. fishingc. deforestationd. driving

3. As global warming continues, the intensity of what type of storm that hits coastlines is predicted to increase?a. tornadoesb. typhoonsc. tsunamisd. earthquakes

4. Rising water temperatures is a result of global warming and may eventually increase sea levels due to the dissolving of what?a. mountainsb. wetlandsc. river bedsd. glaciers

5. Which of the following is NOT a negative effect of global warming?a. larger fish populationb. new infectious diseasesc. species extinctiond. loss of coastal areas

6. What country emits the most carbon dioxide?a. Chinab. United Statesc. Russiad. India

7. As air pollution continues to be released into the atmosphere, what becomes more depleted, resulting in an increase of ultraviolet radiation on earth?a. oceansb. rainforestsc. ozone layerd. carbon dioxide

8. As carbon dioxide emissions increase, the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide declines, resulting in a more acidic ocean. What species is the most at risk in acidic water?

a. coralb. planktonc. fishd. whales

9. Which of these depletes the ozone layer and causes global warming?a. Nitrogen Dioxideb. CFCsc. Ammoniad. All of the above

10. What happens when we burn fossil fuels?a. nothingb. a huge firec. we release carbon into the atmosphered. we release oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air

1.3: Classification: Classify what is being described by the clues

1. C _ _ B _ N D _ _ X _ _ E When too much in air, it can make the hotness more felt by us

2. T _ M P _ _ A _ _ R _It is the numerical measure between hot and cold

3. M _ T H _ N_This is rich in the poop of animals like cows

4. D _ F _ R E _ _ A _ I O _It is the cutting, clearing and removal of rainforests

5. A _ I D _ F _ C _ T _ _ NThis can cause bleaching due to increased heat in the ocean

1.4: Identification: Identify what is described in each phrase

1. It is the substance that has caused ozone layer depletion2. This refers to the increase in average temperature which in turn results to

changes in climate3. The major gas that causes global warming4. This refers to the change in long term weather patterns5. Atmospheric layer wherein ozone gas is found

1.5: Crossword: See if you can fit the words in the box into the correct spaces in the puzzle below.

1.6 Word search: The words listed at the bottom of the page are hidden in the word search box. How many can you find?

*SEA *CFC *LEVEL *ENERGY *CARBON *GLOBAL WARMING *ATMOSPHERE *SOLAR *FOSSIL FUEL * EFFECT

*OZONE *GAS *WEATHER *POLLUTION *GREENHOUSE

Words to Look For:

-GREENHOUSE -GAS -GLOBAL -OZONE -WARMING -CARBONDIOXIDE -CFCS - METHANE -ENERGY

Post-test

1. What is global warming? Explain it briefly in a simple way.

2. In our everyday lives, how do we contribute to global warming?

3. How does global warming affect among us students?4. As a teenager, what can we do to lessen the outcomes of this?5. Why do you think that most of the people are still using things that can

cause global warming even though they are aware of it? 6. What are climate change and global warming, and how are they related?7. What will happen to the earth if global warming continues?

Key to Correction:

(Pre-test/ Post-test)

1. Global warming is the phenomenon of increasing average air temperatures near the surface of Earth.

2. We can contribute to global warming by… (answers may vary) Always boiling hot water Using air conditioners I use the computer everyday

3. We can feel hotter temperature in our classrooms.4. Do the 3R’s or Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. (answers may vary) (you may

refer to what to do)5. Because those things are part of their habits.6. Global warming refers to an increase in average global temperatures,

which in turn causes climate change.

Climate change refers to changes in seasonal temperature, precipitation, wind, and humidity for a given area. Climate change can involve cooling or warming.

7. This phenomenon will continuously affect the earth and its inhabitants, and the effects it creates may cause serious damage.

Activities:

1.1 (Enumeration)

(Answers may vary)1.

Rise in sea levels worldwide More killer storms Massive crop failures Widespread extinction of species Disappearance of coral reefs

2. Carbon dioxide emissions from

fossil fuel burning power plants. Carbon dioxide emissions from burning gasoline for

transportation Deforestation, especially for wood, pulp, and farmland Increase in usage of chemical fertilizers on cropland

3. Have a tree planting campaign Revisit the plants and trees that you planted Lessen the usage of chemical materials Use bicycle instead of using cars to avoid too much emission of

Co2

Conserve fossil fuels Use methane as a fertilizer instead of wasting it Do the 3R’s or Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Use less heat and air conditioning Buy energy–efficient products Use less hot water Be the Change You Wish to See in Others

1.2 (Quiz)

1. C. carbon dioxide 2. B. fishing3. B. typhoons4. D. glaciers

5. A. larger fish population6. B. United States7. C. ozone layer8. A. coral9. B. CFCs10. C. we release carbon into the atmosphere

1.3 (Classification)

1. Carbon Dioxide2. Temperature3. Methane4. Deforestation5. Acidification

1.4 (Identification)

1. CFC’s2. Global Warming3. Carbon Dioxide4. Climate Change5. Ozone Layer

1.5 (Crossword)

1.6 (Word search)

References:http://www.admc.hct.ac.ae/hd1/english/probsoln/Global_Warming.pdf

http://www.factmonster.com/quizzes/global-warming/4.html

http://www.energyresourcefulness.org/global_warming.html