Climate
Lesson 3 - Atmospheric Changes and Climate
Strand: Climate Change/ Earth’s Dynamic Climate
Topic: Natural and Human Factors
Curriculum Expectations
A1.7 select, organize, and record relevant information on research
topics from various sources, including electronic, print, and/or human
sources, using recommended formats and an accepted form of
academic documentation
A1.11 communicate ideas, plans, procedures, results, and conclusions
orally, in writing, and/or in electronic presentations, using appropriate
language and a variety of formats
A1.12 use appropriate numeric, symbolic, and graphic modes of
representation, and appropriate units of measurement
D2 investigate various natural and human factors that influence Earth’s
climate and climate change
D2.1 use appropriate terminology related to climate change, including, but
not limited to: albedo, anthropogenic, atmosphere, cycles, heat sinks, and
hydrosphere [C]
D3 demonstrate an understanding of natural and human factors, including
the greenhouse effect, that influence Earth’s climate and contribute to
climate change
Courses: SNC2D/SNC2P
Learning Goals
At the end of this lesson, students will:
know, understand, and/or be able to:
 analyse the readings to make
organized notes, to describe how
the Boreal Forest contributes to the
global climate,
 create a graph from data provided,
to communicate graphical data
using appropriate conventions,
 identify natural sources of CO2,
 identify human activity sources of
CO2 and to explain how Biomass
Cogeneration reduces the
emission of CO2.
D3.4 identify natural phenomena and human activities known to affect
climate, and describe the role of both in Canada’s contribution to climate
change
D2 investigate various natural and human factors that have an impact on
climate change and global warming
D2.1 use appropriate terminology related to Earth’s dynamic climate,
including, but not limited to: anthropogenic, atmosphere, carbon footprint,
carbon sink, climate, greenhouse gases, hydrosphere, and weather [C]
D3 demonstrate an understanding of various natural and human factors
that contribute to climate change and global warming
D3.6 identify the natural and human causes of climate change in the world
and, in particular, how Canada contributes to climate change
Connection to Kruger Products
Natural factors contribute to climate change, but understanding human factors can direct industry to develop
practices to reduce their impact.
Instructional Components and Context
Readiness
Materials
 Students have completed work
related to the components of
climate with special attention to
the atmosphere.
1. Access to the Internet or printed copies of material
2. Textbooks
3. http://www.borealforest.org/index.php?category=world_boreal_forest&pa
ge=overview
4. How do Human Activities Contribute to Climate Change and How do
They Compare with Natural Influences?
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/pd/climate/factsheets/howhuman.
pdf
 Students have some familiarity
with the nature of different
compounds that contribute to the
greenhouse effect.
 Students have some
understanding of heat transfer in
the atmosphere.
STAO 2013
5. Quick facts about Kruger Products’ commitment to reduce energy
consumption and GHG emissions.
(http://www.sustainability2015.ca/media_room.html
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Terminology
Carbon dioxide, greenhouse gas,
forest fire, atmosphere, biomass
cogeneration, fossil fuels, global
climate
6. Video called ”Learn about Kruger Products’ commitment to reduce its
energy consumption and GHG emissions and the innovative technology it
incorporated in its New Westminster, BC mill “
http://www.sustainability2015.ca/media_room.html
7. Boreal Forest and Climate Change Organizer (Handout #1)
Minds On
Connections
Groups 2-4  What they think
Assessment for
Learning
- look for students to
offer a variety of
answers
Description
This provides a diagnostic assessment to assist with grouping students.
Review some key points before progressing. Provide support where needed.
Ask students: How are changes in the atmosphere related to climate change?
Instruct students to form small groups and think of five ways humans contribute to climate
change. Ask groups to report back and list their contributions on the board/screen.
Ask groups: What changes would reduce these factors?
- look for students to
question each other
as they make
suggestions
Action!
Groups of 2-4  Getting to know more about the boreal forest
Description
Organize students into groups to complete the first two pages of Boreal Forest and Climate
Change organizer. Give every student a copy of the organizer.
Groups need a copy of
http://www.borealforest.org/index.php?category=world_boreal_forest&page=overview
Assign groups some or all of the first two pages based on your experiences with the
students. Some students may need help to create the bar graph.
Periodically ask groups to report back so that the class can assess their progress, and
continue or stop and go back over a point.
Assessment for
Learning
- look for students to
complete the
organizer
- look for students to
exchange different
ideas
- look for students to
provide reasons for
their selections
Encourage reporting groups to explain how they found their answers/solutions.
Provide assistance as required.
Consolidation
Individual or Groups of 2-4  Sustainable paper?
Description
Provide each student with a copy of Forest Fires or Logging (page 3 of the Boreal Forest
and Climate Change organizer).
Provide each group with:
 a copy of the Human Activities reading page: How do Human Activities Contribute to
Climate Change and How do They Compare with Natural Influences?
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/pd/climate/factsheets/howhuman.pdf
Assessment for
Learning
- listen for an
exchange of ideas
- look for students to
connect Biomass
Cogeneration to lower
CO2 emissions
 a copy of Quick facts about Kruger Products’ commitment to reduce energy
consumption and GHG emissions http://www.sustainability2015.ca/media_room.html
- look for students to
review aspects of
sustainable forestry
 access to the video “Learn about Kruger Products’ commitment to reduce its energy
consumption and GHG emissions and the innovative technology it incorporated in its
New Westminster, BC mill “ at http://www.sustainability2015.ca/media_room.html
Assessment as
Learning
Instruct students to complete the page individually, but encourage collaboration through
talk. Listen for confusion or limited understanding.
Outline specific requirements for the polished report and the due date.
STAO 2013
- students look for
clarification when they
are not sure of their
learning
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Lesson 3 - Atmospheric Changes and Climate
Handout #1
Boreal Forest and Climate Change
a) Some Boreal Basics
List 3 countries with most of the boreal forest.
How much of the world’s forest area is covered by the
boreal forest?
List the main species that make up the boreal
forest.
List different ways water contributes to boreal habitat.
What is the temperature range in this area?
How much of the world’s surface is covered by forest?
b) Make a rough sketch to show the boreal forest in the northern hemisphere. (1972 data)
c) Complete this table for forest area in selected countries and make a bar graph below.
Country
Total Forest Area
(millions of ha.)
% of
Global Forested Area
Canada
4
113
Nordic Countries
36
Title: _____________________________
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d) Boreal forest soil is highly acidic. How does climate contribute to this?
Cool Temperatures
Very Wet
e)
List a dominant evergreen for each area.
List three reasons for the dominance of
evergreen trees.
North America
Scandinavia
Siberia
f) Make a diagram showing how a forest fire helps the boreal forest.
g) The boreal forest is a location for large-scale logging, mining, and hydroelectric power.
human activity damages the forest the worst? Give reasons for your thinking.
Which
h) How does the global boreal forest contribute to the overall global climate?
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FOREST FIRES or LOGGING?
i) Read “Human activities contribute to climate change” and complete this table:
How does burning fossil fuels affect the
atmosphere?
Why has so much change happened since
1750?
List three greenhouse gases besides CO2.
List three ways humans release CO2.
List three ways CO2 is released through natural
processes.
In the graph, which gas is at the highest
concentration? (check units)
j) Kruger Products has one mill that uses biomass gasification for energy. Read through the fact
sheet and/or view the video. How does the mill reduce the greenhouse gas emissions for Kruger
Products?
k) Write a short report that directly links the use of Kruger Products’ biomass gasification at its New
Westminster, BC tissue mill to sustainable paper production. Make some notes now. Complete your
report later. This report will be evaluated.
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