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Framework
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Topic outline
Click the linked topics below for additional
resources
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Air Resources |
| 1. Atmospheric science |
a. Atmospheric composition and
structure
b. Weather and climate - relationship between
sun, wind, and ocean currents; difference
between weather and climate; historical
patterns |
| 2. Human use |
a. Biological
b. Combustion
c. Work - transportation, wind energy
generation
d. Waste disposal |
| 3. Pollution |
a. Types of pollutants - primary,
secondary,
synergistic
b. Source of pollutants - natural and
anthropogenic
c. Impacts of pollutants -
ozone depletion,
smog, acid precipitation, heat islands,
inversions, health issues
d. Solutions or reductions |
| 4. Climate change |
a. Natural greenhouse effect
b. Greenhouse gas
c. Keeling Curve
d. Impacts/consequences
e. Data interpretation and computer modeling
f. Solutions |
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RESOURCES
| Climate change - Greenhouse gas |
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Cape Grim Greenhouse Gas Data (background
information)
Source: Commonwealth Scientific and
Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
Web site
This animated map shows the change in greenhouse
gas levels from 1977 to the present from one of the cleanest air
sources in the world, Cape Grim on Tasmania's west coast. The
site also provides the history of the data collection and
information about various gases such as carbon dioxiode,
methane, and nitrous oxide. |
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Energy Balance as a Basis for the Greenhouse Effect
and Global Warming (article and questions)
AP
Central - The College Board
Activity (PDF)
This article provides an analytically
detailed description of the greenhouse effect from a physical
science perspective. Questions are provided to assess
comprehension. Page 20-34 of the Special Focus: Energy and
Climate Change materials |
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Global climate Change (activity)
Source: Exploring the Environment
Web site
In this problem-based learning activity,
students predict the effects of increased atmospheric
concentrations of carbon dioxide on the yield of hard red winter
wheat in Kansas. The web site provides guidelines for student
research and the background information needed to complete the
activity. |
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Greenhouse Gas Equivalency Calculator (web
site)
Source: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Web site
Did you ever wonder what reducing carbon dioxide
emissions by 1 million metric tons means in everyday terms? The
EPA has a tool for translating phrases like "metric ton of
carbon dioxide" into more everyday terms, such as "the carbon
dioxide emissions of a passenger car over two months." Simply
enter the amount of emissions in one measure, and the calculator
then lists a selection of equivalent measures. |
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Greenhouse Gases: Yesterday,
Today, and Tomorrow (activity)
Source: Harv Hayden,
Wisconsin Rapids School District
Activity (MS WORD)
A data analysis activity that looks at Mauna Loa carbon dioxide
levels and the Vostoc ice core data to draw conclusions. This
activity was modified from an article in EE News and originally
created by Al Stenstrup. |
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An Historical Record of CO2 (activity)
Source: Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets
Web site to download lesson and data set
In this
activity, students examine two different carbon dioxide sources:
recent measurements from air samples collected at the Mauna Loa
Observatory in Hawaii and older concentrations from an ice core
drilled in 1975 at the Law Ice Dome in Antarctica. Analysis of
both types of values allow students to re-create concentrations
of CO2 since 1010, determine the rate at which CO2
concentrations have changed since the 18th Century, and estimate
future concentrations. |
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