Level:  Appropriate at any age

Time: 45 minutes for Part A;  45 minutes for Part B

Materials:  pencil, paper

Procedures:

Part A

1. Divide the class into small groups (4-5 students).  Use the K-W-L procedure to start the discussion.  Pose the question:  How do human activities impact on global warming?  Give students10 minutes to record what they KNOW about this question.  Then have them share and make a large list for all to see.
2. Now, working in groups, have students generate a list of things they WOULD LIKE TO KNOW about this topic.  Share with class.
3. As they share their questions, ask them how they could go about finding answers to their questions.
4. Save the K-W part of this activity so that when you have completed several activities they can go back and add what they have LEARNED.
5. At this point, you may want to have the students take some notes on the different greenhouse gases and their sources.  See Background Information.
6. The final part of this activity will be completed after students have done the lab titled "Investigating Anthropogenic Sources of Greenhouse Gases" .  Click here to go to LAB.

Part B

1. After completing the lab titled "Investigating Anthropogenic Sources of Greenhouse Gases" have students revisit the questions they generated in the introductory activity.  Have these questions been answered?  Have any new questions been generated?
2. Have each student select a question and write a response based on what they have learned.  Their responses should include the following:

Extensions

1. Research your local water supply - where is it and how is it used?  What percentage is used by agriculture?  By industry?  By residents?  What is likely to happen to water use over the next 50 years as the population changes or as changes occur in agriculture or industry? What are the possibilities for increased supply and how might these be affected by climate change?
   
2. In the past human communities have adapted to changes of many kinds including some changes in climate.  It is sometimes argued that, because the adaptability of human beings is not fully allowed for, the likely damage from the impacts of climate change in the future tends to be overestimated.  Do you agree?
   
3. Visit a large electrical store and collect information relating to the energy consumption and the performance of domestic appliances such as  refrigerators, microwave ovens, and washing machines.  Which do you think are the most energy efficient and how do they compare with the least energy efficient?  Also, how well labeled were the appliances with respect to energy consumption and efficiency?
   
4. Contact power companies in your local area and ask for information about their emissions of CO2, NOx, and SO2  and the emissions control systems they are using.  Which power plant is emitting the fewest emissions?  Is it more or less expensive to purchase power from the cleanest plant?  Would you be willing to pay more for cleaner energy?
   
5. You have been chosen to serve on an international panel to provide advice on global warming.  Based on the evidence, do you think it is a problem, and if so, which course of action would you recommend?