GLOBAL WARMING by Rowena Renon-Adalla Living Environment Teacher Bronx High School for the Visual Arts Lesson Phases Phase 1- Learning The Concepts -2 class periods • Understanding Global Warming Phase 2- Activity- 2 class periods • Modeling, Designing and Using Temperature Reader Phase 3- Reflection, Feedback and Revisions- 1 day Phase 1- Learning The Concepts • Understanding Global Warming Possible Aim/s: a. How does global warming work? b. What’s up with global warming? c. How does carbon dioxide emission affect global warming? Do Now: Write at least three questions about the diagram/picture. What is global warming? How Global Warming Works Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) Example of the Greenhouse Effect The Sun’s energy passes through the car’s windshield. This energy (heat) is trapped inside the car and cannot pass back through the windshield, causing the inside of the car to warm up. What’s the difference between “global warming” and “climate change”? Difference GLOBAL WARMING is the increase of the Earth’s average surface temperature due to a build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. CLIMATE CHANGE is a broader term that refers to long-term changes in climate, including average temperature and precipitation. Effects of Global Warming Rising Sea Level Increased Temperature Habitat Damage and Species Affected Changes in Water Supply What’s the proof that global warming is taking place? Portage Glacier • Alaska 1914 Photos: NOAA Photo Collection and Gary Braasch – WorldViewOfGlobalWarming.org 2004 Colorado River • Arizona June 2002 Dec 2003 Why is global warming happening? Burning of Fossil Fuels Pollution from coal, natural gas, and oil When did global warming start? Global Atmospheric Concentration of CO2 What is carbon dioxide and how is it discovered? Joseph Black, a Scottish chemist and physician, first identified carbon dioxide in the 1750s. At room temperatures (20-25 oC), carbon dioxide is an odourless, colourless gas, which is faintly acidic and non-flammable. Carbon dioxide is a molecule with the molecular formula CO2. The linear molecule consists of a carbon atom that is doubly bonded to two oxygen atoms, O=C=O. Applications of carbon dioxide by humans Humans use carbon dioxide in many different ways. The most familiar example is its use in soft drinks and beer, to make them fizzy. Carbon dioxide released by baking powder or yeast makes cake batter rise. Some fire extinguishers use carbon dioxide because it is denser than air. Carbon dioxide can blanket a fire, because of its heaviness. The part carbon dioxide plays in environmental processes Carbon dioxide plays an important part in vital plant and animal process, such as photosynthesis and respiration. Environmental problems - the greenhouse effect • Greenhouse gasses absorb some of the heat and trap it near the earth's surface, so that the earth is warmed up. This process, commonly known as the greenhouse effect. • The amount of heat in the troposphere depends on concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gasses and the amount of time these gasses remain in the atmosphere. The most important greenhouse gasses are carbon dioxide, CFC's (Chlor-Fluoro-Carbons), nitrogen oxides and methane. Carbon dioxide and health The primary health dangers of carbon dioxide are: - Asphyxiation. Caused by the release of carbon dioxide in a confined or unventilated area. This can lower the concentration of oxygen to a level that is immediately dangerous for human health. - Frostbite. Solid carbon dioxide is always below -78 oC at regular atmospheric pressure, regardless of the air temperature. Handling this material for more than a second or two without proper protection can cause serious blisters, and other unwanted effects. Carbon dioxide gas released from a steel cylinder, such as a fire extinguisher, causes similar effects. - Kidney damage or coma. This is caused by a disturbance in chemical equilibrium of the carbonate buffer. When carbon dioxide concentrations increase or decrease, causing the equilibrium to be disturbed, a life threatening situation may occur. How is global warming measured? Ice Core Data CO2 Measurements Before 1958 - Antarctica CO2 Atmospheric Measurements CO2 Measurements Since 1958 – Mauna Loa, Hawaii 1000 Years of CO2 and Global Warming Temperature (Northern Hemisphere) Year Year 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 Parts Per Million Degree Celsius Increase CO2 Concentrations Global Warming: Shifting Gears Billions of Metric Tons Carbon Goal: Reductions in 2007 CO2 Per Year of Metric Billions Carbon Tons Carbon Gigaton Our Goal 2007 Reductions in CO2 Per Year Produce electricity efficiently Use electricity efficiently Vehicle efficiency Solar and Wind Power Biofuels Carbon capture and storage What’s being done now to reduce our emissions? Wind Power Solar Power Fuel-Efficiency What can you do to help solve the problem? Simple Things To Do Turn off your computer or the TV when you’re not using it. Take shorter showers. Heating water uses energy. Keep rooms cool by closing the blinds, shades, or curtains. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Use compact fluorescent bulbs. Be Bulb Smart—Use CFLs Incandescent What’s the difference? Compact Fluorescent 500 lbs. of coal •1,430 lbs. CO2 pollution avoided •$30 saved Simple Things To Do Dress lightly when it’s hot instead of turning up the air conditioning. Or use a fan. Dress warmly when it’s cold instead of turning up the heat. Offer to help your parents keep the air filters on your AC and furnace clean. Walk short distances instead of asking for a ride in the car. Plant a tree. Recycle. Credits a.online.nwf.org/site/.../cc_whats_up_with_global_ warming.ppt?docID b. http://www.undeerc.org/PCOR/videogallery /default.aspx Phase 2- Activity a. Designing and Constructing The Temperature Reader b. Using the temperature reader in an experiment. c. Fill out the worksheet as you perform the experiment. Phase 3- Reflection, Feedback and Revision Use the rubric to evaluate the temperature reader and laboratory sheet. Then switch with other groups and let them do the same. Revise the temperature reader and lab worksheet as needed.