Air
Quality
Lesson 1 The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming: Fact or Fallacy?
In this lesson, we will be investigating what is known as the Greenhouse Effect. We will begin by exploring what some scientists think is the nature and fundamental causes of this problem. We'll also explore alternative view points on the greenhouse effect and global warming. After doing so, you will asked to draw conclusions based on both sides of the topic.
Objective:
Upon completion of this lesson, you should be able to describe what is known as the Greenhouse Effect and suggest alternative causes of global warming.
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Invitation:
What do you think is the "greenhouse effect" and how do you think climate change affects you? Discuss this question with some of your classmates, and then as a group submit a statement which will be called your "initial theory" of the greenhouse effect. Post your "theory" on the Innovative Project Bulletin Board.
Now you are ready to compare you initial ideas to information that you will gather from the Internet.
Lets begin by going to the following web pages to check out some information on the Greenhouse Effect.
As you explore these pages answer the following questions in your own words:
1. What is the
Greenhouse Effect?
2. For
which of the natural greenhouse gases has there been an
increase in
production over
the past 50 years?
3. Explain
why chlorofluorocarbons make a significant contribution to
the Greenhouse
Effect, even though they are found in tiny
concentrations.
4. If global
warming continues, what will be the possible effects on the
climate for
Walker County,
Georgia and St. Petersburg, Russia?
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Exploration
Now it is time to explore this problem on a deeper level. Go to the following link and complete parts A, B, and C. Answer the following questions as given at the "Greenhouse Data" website.
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A. 1. What is happening to the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide?
B. 1. If there are no efforts to stop the greenhouse effect, what is the range of possible temperature increases predicted in the next 50 years?
C. 1.
How much has the carbon dioxide (CO2 )
aconcentration increased from the Industrial Revolution to
the present?
2. What percent increase is this?
Explanation
Now that you've seen some of the data, are you concerned about this environmental problem? Actually, over the years people have interpreted greenhouse effect data in many different ways. Some seem to downplay the effect of this problem and others seem to exaggerate. When you read a web page, make sure to consider the source of the information. We all have a different perspective.
Check out the following links to see two groups of organizations that have significantly different views of the problem. After thoroughly researching the topic and investigating these links it's time for you to form an opinion. Use the Bulletin Board to state your opinion regarding how serious you believe the greenhouse effect/global warming problem is. Use a paragraph or two to state your opinion clearly.
Group A Organizations
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Group B Organizations
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Taking
Action
Now that you have investigated alternative views concerning climate change, it might be interesting to look how temperatures in your region have changed (or not changed) over the past 100 to 200 years. For example, Dr. Vitaly Sychev, an ecologist at the Hydrometeorological University of Russia has developed a website on Global Warming. One graph from his site shows how temperatures have changed in the St. Petersburg, Russia region. Notice, that in this part of Russia, temperatures have actually gone down over the past few years. Try and find data on how temperatures have changed in your region of the world. Try and go back as far as you can.
You may want to visit Dr. Sychev's website and explore the topic of climate change and compare what you know now to what he has to say about climate change.
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The final step in this lesson is for you and your team to express your ideas about the greenhouse effect now that you have investigated the problem. Return to the Innovative Project Bulletin Board and write a statement that represents your current theory explaining what is the "greenhouse effect".
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Conclusion
In this lesson we learned about the nature and causes of the greenhouse effect including alternative views on the topic. We discussed some possible problems that may result if global warming continues. We also had the opportunity to state our opinions to each other and to others.