Activity Pack For Key Stages 2 & 3 - Lord Grey Academy

Atmosphere, Climate & EnvironmentInformation Programme, aricManchester Metropolitan UniversityChester Street, Manchester M1 5GDTel: 0161 247 1590Fax: 0161 247 6332E-Mail: aric@mmu.ac.ukInternet: http://www.ace.mmu.ac.uk/Activity Pack forKey Stages 2 & 3Emma Rowe & Joe Buchdahl1999 (updated 2002)ACE is supported by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

aricACE Information ProgrammeThis activity pack has been designed for teachers, and isintended for use by top juniors (aged 9-13 years) takingKey Stages 2 or 3 of the National Curriculum. The aim ofthe pack is to raise pupils’ awareness of global warming(or global climate change). The pack is flexible in that itcan be tailored to meet the individual wishes of the classand the level of ability. It can be used by itself or inaddition to other materials the class may have on theissue.The pack consists of a set of factual information sheetswhich introduce pupils to the subject and issue of nowledge and understanding of the issue.The information sheets cover the following topics: what is the greenhouse effect? what causes the greenhouse effect? where do the greenhouse gases come from? what is global warming? the effects of global warmingGlobal Warming Activity Pack: KS2/32

ACE Information Programmearic what is at risk from global warming? what can we do to slow down global warming?The information sheets introduce in a simple way theconcept and science of global warming, its causes, itspossible effects and how we can slow down globalwarming. There are a number of points that can be raisedfrom the information sheets for class discussion, forexample how the class thinks the UK will be affected byglobal warming. The text in the information sheets can besimplified by the teacher to suit the age and ability ofthe class.There are seven activities for the class to complete andthese can be undertaken over a series of lessons or alltogether. They include: word match word puzzle word search greenhouse riddle energy inefficient kitchen questions energy savers gameGlobal Warming Activity Pack: KS2/33

ACE Information ProgrammearicThe word match, word puzzle and word search areintended to test pupils’ memory of the key words whichare used in the information sheets, and to once againreiterate them.The greenhouse riddle contains some words which areoften used when talking about the issue of global climatechange, and if the riddle is completed correctly it willspell a phrase which is a common word to describe theproblem.The picture of the energy inefficient kitchen is an idealillustration for pupils to see how wasteful a kitchen canbe and for them to suggest ways in which it could bemade more efficient and save energy.The purpose of the questions activity is to see how wellthe class has grasped the concepts used in theinformation sheets, and should therefore be used at theend of the series of lessons on this topic.Finally, the energy savers game is intended to make pupilsmore aware of how they waste energy and what they cando to save energy, thereby reducing emissions of carbondioxide, the main greenhouse gas. The game is basic andcan be modified by the children if they so wish. ForGlobal Warming Activity Pack: KS2/34

ACE Information Programmearicexample they can design their own game board in theshape of a lightbulb, or they could suggest further ideasfor game cards.It is hoped that you find this activity pack both usefuland informative. If you have any criticisms, comments orideas on how to improve the pack we would be interestedto hear them. You can contact us at the address below:Atmosphere, Climate & Environment Information ProgrammeAtmospheric Research and Information CentreManchester Metropolitan UniversityChester Street, Manchester, M1 5GDTel: 0161 247 1593Fax: 0161 247 6332e-mail: aric@mmu.ac.ukInternet: http://www.doc.mmu.ac.uk/aric/arichome.html ARIC 1999Global Warming Activity Pack: KS2/35

aricACE Information ProgrammeThe Greenhouse EffectThe Earth is surrounded by alayerofgasescalledtheatmosphere. The Sun is muchhotter than the Earth and itgives off rays (radiation) thattravel through the atmosphereand reach the Earth. The raysof the Sun warm the Earth and heat from the Earththen travels back into the atmosphere. This is the sameas on bonfire night when the warmth of the bonfirewarms your face. Your face will give off heat to the coldair. There are some gases in the atmosphere which trapthe heat escaping from the Earth and stop it fromtravelling back into space. These gases are calledgreenhouse gases.The glass in a greenhouse has a similar effect on theSun’s rays and so it is called the Greenhouse Effect.The greenhouse effect is a natural process and it warmsthe Earth. Without the greenhouse effect the EarthGlobal Warming Activity Pack: KS2/36

ACE Information Programmearicwould be very cold, too cold for living things, such asplants and animals.The diagram below shows how the Sun’s rays are trappedby the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.The Greenhouse EffectGlobal Warming Activity Pack: KS2/37

ACE Information ProgrammearicThe Greenhouse Gases?The atmosphere which surrounds the Earth contains thegreenhouse gases, sometimes in very small amounts. Thelist of gases below shows the greenhouse gases whichare produced naturally on Earth. carbon dioxide water vapour methane ozoneThese gases are very important in keeping the Earth’stemperature at the correct level so that we can live. Todo this, the amount of greenhouse gases in theatmosphere must be kept at the right balance.Natural sourcesCarbon dioxide is produced naturallywhen people and animals breathe. Plantsand trees take in and use carbon dioxideto live. Volcanoes also produce carbondioxide.Global Warming Activity Pack: KS2/38

aricACE Information ProgrammeMethane comes from cattle as theydigest their food. The gas alsocomes from fields where rice isgrown: paddy fields.Ozone occurs naturally in the atmosphere.Man-made sourcesSome of the activities of man also produce greenhousegases.Carbondioxidecomesfromtheburning of fuel such as coal, oil andgas. These are called fossil fuels. Weburn fossil fuels to make energy,which gives us heat and light inbuildings. The cutting down and burning of trees alsoreleases carbon dioxide.Methane can be releasedfromburiedwaste.Forexample, the rubbish that iscollected from our homesby the dustmen is buried inlarge rubbish dumps. ThisGlobal Warming Activity Pack: KS2/39

aricACE Information Programmeburied waste will produce methane. Coal mining andstored gas also produces methane.Another group of greenhouse gasesincludesthechlorofluorocarbons.The name for these gases is ratherlong so they are called CFCs forshort.CFCshavebeenusedinaerosols, such as hairspray cans, fridges and in makingfoam plastics. They become dangerous when releasedinto the atmosphere, depleting the ozone layer. For thisreason, their use has been banned around the world.Global WarmingSince the Industrial Revolution200 years ago, these activitieshave increased, releasing moregreenhousegasesintotheatmosphere and upsetting thebalance. More gases mean thatmore of the heat trying to escape from the Earth backinto space is trapped. When more heat is trapped by thegreenhouse gases the Earth becomes warmer, this isknown as global warming.Global Warming Activity Pack: KS2/310

aricACE Information ProgrammeMany scientists now agree that our activities are makingthe natural greenhouse effect stronger. If we carry sts believe that it will have a dangerous effect onthe Earth.The EffectsA warmer Earth might lead to a change in the weather,including hotter summers. This may seem like a goodidea, but a rise of a few degrees in temperature couldchange the conditions on Earth which are at present justright for life.At the moment it is difficult for scientists to say howgreat the changes on Earth will be and where thechanges will happen.The WeatherScientists agree that in Britain ourwinter and summer temperatures willincrease and the weather will be warmer.In winter it may also rain more but insummer it may become drier. In otherGlobal Warming Activity Pack: KS2/311

aricACE Information Programmeparts of the world the effect will bedifferent; some countries will becomemuch hotter whilst others becomecooler. There may be more storms,floods and drought, but we do notknow which areas of the world will beaffected.Sea LevelsHigher temperatures will make thewater of the seas and oceans expand.Some of the ice from ice caps andmountain glaciers will melt, and thismelted ice will also cause the seas torise.Higher sea levels will threaten the low-lying coastalareas of the world, such as the Netherlands andBangladesh. Throughout the world millions of people andareas of land will be at danger from flooding. Manypeople will have to leave their homes and large areas offarmland will be ruined because of floodwater. InBritain, East Anglia and the Thames estuary will be atrisk from the rising sea.Global Warming Activity Pack: KS2/312

ACE Information ProgrammearicFarmingThe changes in the weather will affect the type of cropsgrown. Some crops, such as wheat and rice grow betterwhen it is warmer, but other plants, such as maize andsugarcane do not. Changes in the amount of rainfall willalso affect plant growth.The effect of a change in the weather on plant growthmay lead to food shortages in some countries of theworld. Brazil, parts of Africa, southeast Asia and Chinawill be affected most and many people could suffer fromhunger.WaterThroughout the world there is a great demand forwater, and in many regions, such as the Sahel in Africa,there is not enough water for the people. Changes in theweather will bring more rainfall in some countries, butothers will have less rainfall. In Britain the southeastwill be at risk from drought.Global Warming Activity Pack: KS2/313

aricACE Information ProgrammeAt Risk!Plants and AnimalsIt has taken millions of yearsfor life to adapt to theconditions on Earth. A climatethat changes too quickly willaltertheseconditionsandaffect the homes of plantsand animals throughout the world. For example, thepolar bears and seals will have to find new feedinggrounds as the ice melts.Many animals and plants may not be able to cope withthese changes and could die. This could lead to local, orworld-wide extinction of certain mepopulations will be at greater risk. For example,countries whose coastal regions have a large population,such as Egypt and China, may see whole populations moveinland to avoid flood. The effect on people will depend onGlobal Warming Activity Pack: KS2/314

ACE Information Programmearichow well we can adapt to the changes and how much wecan do to reduce global climate change.What can we do to slow down global warming?Governments throughout the world have already takenaction to start reducing global warming. In their planthey hope to reduce the amount of man-made emissionsof greenhouse gases. Everyone can help in some way toslow down global warming.About half of the enhanced greenhouseeffect is caused by our use of energy,especially from fossil fuels. Other sourcesof energy could be used which do not emitcarbon dioxide, for example wind power,solar (power from the Sun’s rays) and wave power. Inthe home and at school we must learn to use energyefficiently and not waste it. We can make buildings moreefficient, for example by putting in loft insulation anddouble-glazing.Much of the rubbish we throw away canbe recycled, such as glass bottles andjars, steel and aluminium cans, plasticGlobal Warming Activity Pack: KS2/315