Climate Change
- Causes and
Consequences
Learning Points
Understand the processes that give rise
to key physical and human geographical
features of climate change in the world.
How to make the world a more
sustainable and equitable place to live in
and how we can contribute to this.
How we should take responsibility for
own actions.
Activity 1: watch the video and
remember to turn up the volume!!
[Link]
DS2SMvfGe72U&start_radio=1&t=0
What is Climate Change?
Starter - In your own words write down what
you think is meant by climate change....
• Activity - On the next slides you will read
information about climate change. Makes
notes along the way this will help you in your
main activity.....
What is Climate Change?
Definition - Climate Change
refers to changes in the world’s
atmosphere.
It includes a rise in average
global temperature and changes
in rainfall, and other weather
patterns.
What is causing Climate
Change?
In your own word explain
the green house effect
Challenge – draw out from memory
the diagram for the green house
effect....
Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouses trap
heat from the sun.
The glass panels let
in light but keep
heat from escaping.
This causes the
greenhouse to heat
up.
The same thing
happens when a car
is left in direct
0n Earth, the
atmospheric
gases allow
sunshine to
pass through
but absorb
heat that is
radiated
(bounced)
back from the
warmed
surface of the
Earth.
Greenhouse Effect
The gases in the
atmosphere act like a
blanket around our planet
which traps in heat, making
the temperature rise.
This is called the
Greenhouse Effect and is a
natural process that keeps
the planet warm and
sustains life.
If the greenhouse effect
didn’t exist, the average
temperature on earth would
be around -18ºC.
So what’s the problem?
The increasing amounts of greenhouse gasses
released into the atmosphere by humans is
trapping more heat making the planet warmer
than it should be. This results in Global Warming.
GREENHOUSE GASES
Greenhouse gases can come from;
1. Natural sources
2. Man-Made sources
Challenge: Can you name 2 natural
sources and 2 man-made sources?
Natural Climate Change
Greenhouse gases occur naturally
and causes the climate to change in
a natural way. 4 main gases are:
Carbon dioxide Sulphur dioxide Methane
(C02) (S02) (CH4)
Nitrous Oxide
(N2O)
Carbon Dioxide -
Produced by living
organisms through
respiration (breathing).
Sulphur Dioxide -
Released from
volcanoes
Methane - Decomposition
or rotting of organic matter
(especially in wetlands).
Nitrous Oxide – During
lightning storms and from
bacteria in soil.
Man-Made Climate
Change
Man has increased the amount of
Greenhouse gases going into the
atmosphere. This increases the
Greenhouse Effect.
[Link]
Man-made Sources
Carbon Dioxide -
Burning of solid waste,
wood, and fossil fuels
(oil, natural gas, and
coal).
Sulphur Dioxide -
Sulphur is found in
most fossil fuels, like
coal, and is a problem
when it burns it forms
and releases sulphur
Nitrous Oxide
Agricultural and
industrial processes.
The spark plug in the car
engine causes the
nitrogen and oxygen in
the air to react together,
releasing nitrous oxide.
Methane
BURP BURP BURP
‘CH4’ ‘CH4’ ‘CH4’
BURP BURP
BURP BURP ‘CH4’
‘CH4’ BURP ‘CH4’
‘CH4’ ‘CH4’
BURP BURP BURP
‘CH4’ ‘CH4’ ‘CH4’
BURP
‘CH4’ BURP
BURP ‘CH4’
BURP ‘CH4’ BURP
‘CH4’ ‘CH4’ BURP
‘CH4’
The effects of out of control
Climate Change
What if the Earth heats up?
Sea levels around
the world could
rise. Cities on
coasts would flood.
Places that receive
rain and snowfall
might become
hotter and drier,
leading to more
drought.
What if the Earth heats up?
Drought would
make it hard to
raise crops for food,
leading to famine.
Forest fires could
occur more often.
What if the Earth heats up?
Plants and
animals unable to
take the heat may
go extinct.
Hurricanes,
tornadoes and other
storms might occur
more frequently and
be more intense.
The effects of Climate Change
We expect that because of climate
change:
• Temperatures will increase.
• Winter rainfall will get heavier,
increasing
the risk of flooding.
The effects of Climate Change
• Summer rainfall may reduce considerably,
creating pressure on water resources.
• Sea levels will rise due to melting ice caps,
leading
to further coastal erosion and flood risk.
Plenary
Can you explain the greenhouse
effect?
Can you explain the difference
between man made gas and a
natural gas?
Can you explain 2 effects of these
gases on the earth?
What can we do to help our
climate?
Global Warming Poster Assignment
1. Title of the Poster:
o Students must include a clear and bold title, such as "Stop Global Warming"
or "Act Now to Save Our Planet."
2. Content Guidelines:
Each poster should include the following elements:
o Causes of Global Warming:
Include at least 2 causes, such as fossil fuel use, deforestation, or industrial
emissions.
o Effects of Global Warming:
Mention 2-3 effects like rising temperatures, melting ice caps, or extreme
weather.
o Solutions:
Suggest 2-3 ways individuals or communities can combat global warming,
such as reducing energy consumption, planting trees, or using renewable
energy.
3. Design Requirements:
o Use large fonts and bold colors for important points.
o Include at least one image or icon (e.g., Earth, trees, solar panels).
o Keep the design minimalistic: avoid clutter and focus on clarity.
4. Submission Options:
