Global Warming
Overview: In the next 8 days we will explore the issue of global warming. The discussions and activities planned will introduce you to the basic concepts related to global warming and expose you to the usefulness of the internet and Microsoft Excel.
The 8 days will be divided into 2 parts. Part 1 (first 4 days) will be small group investigations and presentations of questions that will educate you on key concepts. Part 2 (last 4 days) will entail role playing for a "global warming forum." During the forum we will address important policy questions related to global warming.
Student Activities and Assessment
Part 1: Explore the key concepts.
A. Students will form groups of 3 or 4 and address some assigned questions. Each group will make short, informative presentations in order to educate the other groups.
B. You will be invited to explore some computer resources to help you answer your questions.
C. Assessment will done by a group self-assessment form as well as a quiz.
Questions:
1. Describe the composition and structure of the atmosphere. Investigate the physics and chemistry of global warming. How does it happen?
2. What are the projected effects of global warming? Explain these in the global sense as well as the local effect on Whatcom County. Explain the difference between the ozone issue and the global warming issue.
3. What is the history of the issue? What observations alerted scientists to the issue? How do scientists research the climate of the past? Explain the meaning of the word "paleoclimatology."
4. Catalog the greenhouse gases. List their sources, relative abundance, stability and overall importance to the issue.
5. Explore the major contributors of carbon dioxide (natural, human induced). Why do people focus on that gas so much as the primary cause of global warming? Rank the sources of this gas according to their importance. Also, rank countries according to their contribution to the problem.
6. What natural (non-human) phenomena have contributed to variations in average global temperature and carbon dioxide levels? Explain the various feedback mechanisms that seem to operate in a way that influences global climate. Explain how scientific models have incorporated these feedback mechanisms.
7. In some ways the issue is controversial. Explain the controversy by exploring outstanding questions that remain. Summarize the "knowns" and "unknowns."
How has the issue effected public policy? What agencies have formed? What conferences have been held? Is the issue becoming political?
Part 2: Role Playing for a global warming forum.
A. Form small groups in order to explore (in detail) the issue of global warming from a specific perspective. The groups each assume a role, such as:
CEO of the petroleum industry
congressman/policy maker
atmospheric research chemist
environmentalist
ambassador of a developing country
economic consultant to the U. S. president
lawyer for a consumer advocate group
B. Clarify amongst yourselves the perspectives and interests of your role. Using the internet, SIRS and newsbank articles find information that supports your interests.
C. Make detailed notes and write a script that you will present at the global warming forum. Do not print out documents until you have proof read them on the computer screen. As part of your presentation you will use some kind of visual aid. Ideally, you should use the computer that is connected to the TV. You could store a graph, an internet page or a Power Point demonstration on your the classroom computer.
D. During the last 2 days of the unit we will hold a global warming forum. Be ready to:
1. present the perspectives and interests of your group (no more than 10 minutes).
2. discuss the BIG POLICY QUESTIONS.
Policy Questions
1. Explain to the group your perspective on global warming, in character.
2. Is the evidence compelling enough to cause us to respond now?
3. How should governments and society as a whole respond?
4. How should individuals respond?