Description
Many scientists think global climate change is the number one environmental issue the world faces today as it is expected to change every aspect of our world. That means that no matter what environmental issue you chose for your final project, climate change will likely have an impact on that issue both now and as we move into the future. Therefore, it is important to understand the data behind global climate change. It will also be important to use your best research skills in finding articles and information. Since there are so many myths and misunderstandings surrounding climate change, we will also explore what science and pseudoscience are.
sci·ence (/ˈsīəns/) – systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation
pseu·do·sci·ence (/ˌso͞odōˈsīəns/) – a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on the scientific method
Pseudoscience is all too often passed off as science. It is especially prevalent when discussing the topic of global climate change. This comes from both sides of the fence – those that believe humans are the primary cause of global warming and those arguing that global warming is not occurring or humans are not responsible. A good article on the Skeptical Scientist Website on the characteristics of pseudoscience being passed off as science can be found at this link. You can find a list of the major myths at this link on the same site. Are there any that apply to your discussion? Make sure you don’t include these “myths” or pseudoscience in your discussion and project.
Watch the short video below about the consequences of climate change before posting your discussion:
Video from https://cleanet.org/clean/literacy/principle_7.html
Discussion Requirements
In your initial post explain how climate change is expected to affect your environmental issue. Use the resources below or other credible sources for your research. For example, the NASA page has insights into the future of water, air, and land resources. There is also a NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) site where you can research changes expected in every community (including yours!). There are more at the bottom of the page. Be sure to keep the references you use for your final project.
Sources:
NASA Climate Change page – https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/
NOAA Climate Change impacts – https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/climate/climate-change-impacts
NOAA Climate Change Explorer, Explore how climate is projected to change in any county in the United States – https://crt-climate-explorer.nemac.org/
World Wildlife Fund – https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/effects-of-climate-change
Replies
When replying back to your classmates’ initial posts, expand on their information based on your own research. What can you add that you learned this week? Explain why you agree or disagree on certain points. You may also provide links to other articles that offer additional scientific data. The idea here is to get a conversation going and so feel free to discuss what you learned about the science and pseudoscience of climate change as well. Replies should not be lengthy, likely 3-4 sentences should be plenty.
Discussion Guidelines & Grading Rubric
Additional Material: Global Climate Readings and Activities
Exploring Climate Change: Immersive learning Thinglink
U.S. EPA website with lots of information on global climate change
National Science Foundation funded project describing global climate change
NASA sponsored project for teachers about global climate change
National Geographic overview of global warming
Manufacturing efficiency and reduction of carbon emissions
International Energy Agency (2007) on manufacturing efficiency
Activity: Take a Global warming quiz. If you take this quiz and you are not shy, post your score.
Activity: Explore this interactive Global Effects Map.
Activity: Video on CO2 offsets in tree preservation (carbon banking).
Activity: NPR audio (https://www.marketplace.org/?legacy_topic=sustainability/calculating-value-carbon-trees) on trees and carbon calculations.
