Topic 1: Global Warming and Climate Change
Objectives:
 To understand who is the main contributor to global warming.
 To be able to list advantages and disadvantages to greenhouse gases.
 To be able to point out examples of climate change as a result of
global warming.
Slide 4
Introduction:
Many of us know we have to recycle, reuse and limit the use of earth’s
resources- but why do we need to do these actions?
Examples: recycle paper, use solar energy (using less electricity), use
public transportation more and drive less
Slide 5, 6
It is evident that climate change is occurring as many places have seen
changes in rainfall pattern- resulting in more floods, droughts, or
intense rain, as well as more frequent and severe heat waves. Global
warming is a type of climate change- which leads to melting of ice
caps, warming of oceans and rising of sea levels.
[Refer to next slide (Real Life Examples)]
Slide 7
As observed by many scientific studies across the globe, it is clear that
global average temperature is on the rise and it is very likely due to
human activities. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution,
burning of fossil fuels has contributed to the increased concentration
of greenhouse gases (GHG), mainly methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide
(CO2).Greenhouse gases are atmospheric gases (including CH4, CO2,
water vapour, nitrous oxide (N2O), ozone (O3)).
Slide 8, 9
Greenhouse gases are needed for survival of humans and many
marine and terrestrial organisms. If greenhouse gases are not present,
the earth would be too cold (33 degrees Celsius colder than current
average temperature). However, when the greenhouse gases
concentration become too high, they will make the earth too hot and
contribute to global warming. As seen in slide 9, many cities in 2014
reached its hottest record temperature- such as Sydney, Australia
reaching 45.8 degrees Celsius. The global temperature of May 2014 is
the hottest on record.
Slide 10
One of the consequences of global warming is the rising of sea levels,
which will at first affect coastal low-lying areas, including many big
cities (like Hong Kong) with a high population density. In fact, some
island nations such as Maldives and Tuvalu are already facing the
threat of inundation.
Slide 11, 12
Several contributors to global warming are deforestation, industrial
buildings and transportation means such as cars, trucks, trains and
airplanes.
Many people would think the main contributor to global warming
would be pollution from transportation vehicles. However, global
livestock industry contributes 14.5% to GHG emissions with
transportation industry sitting at 13%.
Slide 13
How do the animals produce so much GHG emissions? Animal feces
generate nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas with 296 times the warming
effect of carbon dioxide. In addition, methane, which is emitted from
cows through belching and flatulence has a global warming effect that
is 21 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.
The amount of CO2 generated per 1kg protein produced is shown.
Production of 1kg of protein coming from beef produces 27 kg of CO2;
1 kg of protein from pork produces 12 kg CO2and 1 kg protein from
tofu only produces 2 kg CO2.
Slide 14
Not only does animal produce greenhouse emissions through their
belching and flatulence, the food or animal production process also
generate a high amount of greenhouse gases. This would include
production methods, food waste, packaging and delivery of the animal
products. The chart lists the amount of carbon dioxide equivalents (in
kg) that 1 kg of food or animal products generates.
Since meat production create so much pollution, should we consider
decreasing consumption of meats?
A few suggested questions:

What are some main contributors of greenhouse gases?

What kind of climate changes is occurring?

Why are greenhouse gases important for earth?

What are some environmental impacts of climate changes and global
warming?