An Introduction To Global Warming For Students In Grades 6-8

An Introduction to Global Warmingfor Students in Grades 6-8

Global WarmingThis term refers to the general increase in the earth’s average temperature caused by the presence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,which causes changes in climate patterns across the globe.Some of the news you may have heardPolar bears are losingtheir habitatsSea level is risingHurricanes are gettingbigger and strongerGlaciers are melting fastTemperatures are going upHow do we know?Scientists have been able to study climate change by lookingat tree cores, atmospheric composition, sediment cores, icecores and through observation.

ResourcesMany resources are available for more information on climatechange and global warming. Here are a few:FOR STUDENTSFOR TEACHERS AND PARENTSOn the Web:Union of Concerned Scientistswww.climatechoices.orgEnvironmental Protection Agency,www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA)For grades 6 - ature e/calculatorNature Conservancy’s SupportingEnvironmental ww.education.noaa.gov/students.htmlOneClimate.net offers links to otherclimate change sitestiki.oneworld.net/global warming/climate home.htmlNature eNational Wildlife Federation’s Climate Classroomwww.climateclassroom.org/teensStop Global Warmingwww.stopglobalwarming.org/classroomBooks:Dr Art’s Guide to Planet Earth,Art Sussman, Ph.D.An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of GlobalWarming. Adapted for a New Generation,Al GoreA Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming, LaurieDavid and Cambria GordonHow Do We Know What We Know About OurChanging Climate: Scientists and Kids ExploreGlobal Warming, Lynne CherryFight Global Warming Now: The Handbook forTaking Action in Your Community, Bill McKibbenFor curriculum:EE Weekhttp://www.eeweek.org/climate changeTime for nter for Environmental Educationwww.ceeonline.org/National Wildlife eClassroom/cc homepageEarth Day Networkwww.earthday.netGlobal Warming Educationclimatechangeeducation.orgZero Footprint Kids CalculatorFor Teacherswww.zerofootprintkids.comCreative Change EducationalSolutionswww.creativechange.net50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth,Andrews McMeel PublishingTeaching about Climate Change:Cool Schools Tackle GlobalWarming, edited by Tim Grant andGail LittlejohnThe Solution is You! An Activists Guide, LaurieDavidLow Carbon Diet, A 30 Day Programto Lose 5000 Pounds, David GershonWe Are the Weather Makers, Tim Flannery,Adapted by Sally M. WalkerThe North Pole Was Here, Andrew C. Revkin

Key Conceptsclimate change—a term used to describe trends in the earth’s climate.For example, scientists see that the planet’s average temperature isrising. This affects wind and ocean currents as well as yearly amounts ofrain and snow. Climate change affects different parts of the world indifferent ways. Take a look at what is happening in the Arctic ascompared to the Hudson Valley.global warming—refers to the general increase in the earth’saverage temperature, which causes changes in climate patterns acrossthe globe. The earth’s average temperature has been increasing over thelast century. For example, there is some evidence that suggests that theU.S. Northeast will gett colder as the poles melt and cold, fresh waterchanges currents near the East Coast.greenhouse gases—are carbon dioxide and methane, mostly causedby human activity. Greenhouse gases are in the atmosphere, absorbingand holding heat, which causes earth’s temperature to rise.Keywords to explore and know: acidification, alternative energy,atmosphere, biomass, carbon cycle, carbon dioxide, carbon footprint, conservation, deforestation, ecosystems, energy, estuary, food web, fossil fuels,fuel efficiency, greenhouse effect, habitat, Industrial Revolution, invasiveand native species, natural resources, ozone, photosynthesis, pollution,renewable and solar energy, species migration, symbiosis, watershed.Look up key events in American environmental history—for example,Earth Day, an environmental movement that was founded in 1970when 20 million Americans protested for a healthy and sustainableenvironment. Earth Day represents the hope for a clean planet.Other examples are the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, EndangeredSpecies Act, Kyoto Protocol and the SCENIC HUDSON DECISION.

Carbon FootprintSince the Industrial Revolution (from about1850 to the present) astounding amounts ofgreenhouse gases have been introduced intothe earth’s atmosphere. This is primarily due toincreased use of fossil fuels for generating power.Americans are huge consumers of products thatuse enormous amounts of energy and generatelarge amounts of waste.A carbon footprint is the amount of carbondioxide a person, family or business emits throughthe use of fossil fuels.Your carbon footprint is the impact your lifestylechoices have on the earth. Two of the biggestcontributors are your driving and travel habits aswell as your electricity use at home. Other impactscome from your diet and the products you buy.Have you stopped to consider yourpersonal contribution to climate change?You send greenhouse gases into the atmospherewhen you. watch TV play video games turn on a light ride in a car put trash in a landfill use electricity to listen to music

Impacts on the Hudson ValleyAs temperatures increase around the world, weather patternsand seasons will change here in the valley. These changes inclimate already are having troubling effects: higher temperatures more intense rainand floods less snow increased droughts increased cost of food poor air quality changes in forestsand wetlandsJosh Clague (map & Black Creek photo) sea-level rises(remember, theHudson River isconnected to theAtlantic Ocean)Does this affect you?Use the resourcesprovided in this bookletto further investigate.Hudson River Watershed Map*Information from the Hudson River Estuary Program at: www.dec.ny.gov/ and the Union ofConcerned Scientists: www.climatechoices.org.

Our planet needsyour helpOur Hudson Valleyneeds your helpOur planet is a complex ecosystem with dynamic interactions,but we all breathe the same air and drink the same water.The issue of climate change impacts your life no matterwhere you are—and it’s up to all of us to bepart of the solution.Everyone on earthis affected.

How will you challenge yourself tolower your impact?To calculate your carbon footprint:Zero Footprint Kids Calculatorwww.zerofootprintkids.com/kids home.aspxEcological Footprint by Center for Sustainable Economywww.myfootprint.orgU.S. EPA’s “Calculate Your .htmlTo test your green knowledge:Smithsonian National Zoological greenquiz.cfmTo play American Public Radio’s interactive Consumer Consequences uences/For information about energy facts and efficiency, goto the website for students at the Energy InformationAdministration:www.eia.doe.gov/kids/One of Scenic Hudson’s contributions is lowering the carbon footprint by.Preserving FORESTS!Trees, through photosynthesis, absorb and store carbon dioxide.They act as natural air filters. Trees help to control erosion and flooding.Did You know1 tree consumes 1 ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime!

Focus on Plant and Animal ImpactsAs climate changes in the Hudson Valley, species in ourown backyard will be affected. Impactsmight be: loss of habitat, loss ofnative plants, changes inpollination, changes inmigration patterns,shifts in food availabilityfor humans and wildlife,Think About thisHow is the habitat of the polar bearbeing affected by climate change? Whatspecies in the Hudson Valley will beaffected by climate change?possible extinction.To learn more about the ecology of the Hudson Valley—visit a Scenic Hudson park. Scenic Hudson isdedicated to protecting, preserving and restoringthe Hudson and its riverfront as a public and natural resource.Learn more about the Hudson Valley’s ecosystem.Go to our website, www.scenichudson.org, for moreinformation, maps and directions to parks we’ve createdup and down the Hudson.

YOU Can Make a Difference!Be a part of the solution!What you can do: Reduce, reuse, recycle!Bike or walk instead of drivingCarpool to schoolConserve waterGet educated about taking care of the environmentUse both sides of paperOrganize a class project to teach others about climate changesolutionsBe energy efficient.turn off lights, unplug electronics, use a powerstrip, unplug chargers (cell phone, iPods, etc.) when not in useBring lunch in reusable containersUse reusable bottles for water (save money, reduce pollution)What your family can do:ce!TheReduce, reuse, recycle!Buy a hybrid carLook for green energy alternativesUse compact fluorescent light bulbsword is reGo solareykWalk instead of driveBuy localShop at the farmers’ marketUse less hot waterUse products made from recycled paperBring a reusable cloth bag to the storePlant a treeCut down on products with excess packagingHang laundry out to dryCompostBuy less stuffdu Small lifestyle changes add up!

“Every little thing counts!”Already doingWilldo nowAre you crazy?—Mia, sixth-graderTRACKING YOUR PROGRESS: What are youdoing now? What will you change to makea difference in the world?Be part of the solution.Get involvedoVolunteer in your communityooo o oWrite your elected officials—tell them yourhopes for a healthy environmentoooStart a school project to educate othersoooPlant treesReduceoTake canvas bags to the grocery storeooo o oBring your lunch and drinks in reusablecontainerso o oCut down on the amount of trashyou produceSave energyo o oTurn off lights, TVs, computers and radioswhen not in use; unplug your stuff!oooTurn down the heat or air conditioningoooWalk or ride your bike whenever possibleConserve wateroooTurn off the faucet when brushing your teethoooTake shorter showersRecycleoooRecycle paper, metal, glass and plasticoooUse recycled productsoooUse rechargeable batteries

Your ChoicesMatterThe choices we make willdetermine the extent of climate change.Who’s Scenic Hudson?We are a group of dedicated people whocare about the area we live in—the HudsonRiver Valley. Over 40 years ago, our foundersfought to protect a mountain from beingmade into a power plant. Since then, wehave continued to work together withtowns like yours to protect special placesand make them enjoyable for you to visit.Scenic Hudson One Civic Center Plaza, Suite 200Poughkeepsie, NY 12601845 473 4440 www.scenichudson.orgCreated and written by Susan Hereth, designed by Seth Martel(both Scenic Hudson staff members), Sept. 2010Printed on Mohawk Color Copy 100% Recycled stock.Funding for this brochure provided by Central Hudson:

To learn more about the ecology of the Hudson Valley— visit a Scenic Hudson park. Scenic Hudson is dedicated to protecting, preserving and restoring the Hudson and its riverfront as a public and natural resource. Learn more about the Hudson Valley’s ecosystem. Go to our