Human Activities and Global Climate Change

Human Activities and Global Climate Change

Middle School

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Learning Objectives

• Describe the relationship between the different spheres of the Earth.

• Describe how human activities can impact the different spheres of the Earth.

• Explain how computer models help predict the future impacts of these changes.

Key Vocabulary

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Geosphere

The sphere of Earth that includes all rocks, minerals, and soils found on the planet.

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Hydrosphere

This includes all water on Earth, like rivers, oceans, groundwater, glaciers, and even atmospheric moisture.

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Atmosphere

The layer of air surrounding the planet, consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and other various gases.

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Biosphere

This sphere includes all of the living organisms on Earth, such as plants, animals, and fungi.

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Fossil Fuels

Remains of past organisms, like coal, that are burned to generate electricity and for transportation.

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Climate Change

The gradual, continual increase in Earth's temperature, leading to lasting shifts in the world's climate.

Key Vocabulary

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Deforestation

The process of removing trees from forests, often for land or to harvest wood products.

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Ocean Acidification

The changing chemistry of the ocean due to increased carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

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Aquifer

Permeable rock that can contain or transmit valuable sources of underground fresh water.

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Mining

The process of extracting solid materials like metals, minerals, and coal from the Earth.

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Anthropomass

The total mass of humans, which has grown significantly compared to wild animal biomass.

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CCSM

The Community Climate System Model (CCSM) is a model composed of atmosphere, ocean, and land models.

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Earth's Interconnected Spheres

• Earth has four main systems: the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.

• These four spheres are all interconnected and constantly interact with one another.

• Winds (atmosphere) over mountains (geosphere) can affect living things (biosphere).

• Human activities can also trigger interactions that impact all of Earth's systems.

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Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes the relationship between Earth's four spheres?

• They are all interconnected and constantly interact.

• They exist separately and do not affect one another.

• Only the atmosphere and geosphere are considered systems.

• They are important only for non-living things.

Multiple Choice

When wind blows over a mountain, affecting the plants and animals living there, which three spheres are interacting?

• The atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.

• The hydrosphere and the geosphere only.

• The atmosphere and the hydrosphere only.

• The biosphere and the hydrosphere only.

Multiple Choice

If a large-scale human activity, such as deforestation, occurs in one area, what is the most likely consequence for Earth's systems?

• The action can cause impacts across multiple spheres, affecting air, water, and life.

• The action will only affect the specific sphere where it started.

• The action will only impact non-living systems like the geosphere.

• The action is unlikely to have any significant effect on Earth's systems.

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Human Impact on the Geosphere and Hydrosphere

Impact on Geosphere

• Human activities like overfarming, deforestation, and urbanization can degrade the quality of land and soil.

• Mining extracts nonrenewable resources, such as coal and metals, from deep within the Earth.

• This process can cause widespread damage, including the deforestation of land surrounding a mine.

Impact on Hydrosphere

• Altering water flows for farming can cause lakes, like the Aral Sea, to shrink dramatically.

• Groundwater is taken from aquifers faster than it can be replenished by nature.

• Harmful runoff containing fertilizers and industrial waste causes widespread freshwater pollution.

Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes the primary way human activities like farming and mining affect the Earth's geosphere and hydrosphere?

• They create new habitats for plants and animals.

• They increase the amount of nonrenewable resources.

• They degrade land quality and pollute water resources.

• They help to naturally replenish groundwater in aquifers.

Multiple Choice

Why can human activities like farming lead to a shortage of groundwater?

• The process removes groundwater from aquifers faster than nature can refill it.

• Farming adds more fertilizers to the soil, which soaks up the groundwater.

• Urbanization prevents rainwater from reaching the underground aquifers.

• Deforestation allows the sun to evaporate groundwater before it can be used.

Multiple Choice

A large new mine is established in a forest, and a town is built nearby for the workers. What are the likely combined impacts on the area's geosphere and hydrosphere?

• The replenishment of nonrenewable resources and an increase in lake size.

• Land degradation from clearing the forest and water pollution from industrial waste.

• An increase in soil quality and the replenishment of groundwater in aquifers.

• The creation of new farmland and a decrease in harmful runoff.

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Human Impact on the Atmosphere and Biosphere

Atmosphere

• Burning fossil fuels like coal and oil releases large amounts of harmful carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the air.

• This buildup of gases in the atmosphere leads to climate change, a gradual increase in the Earth's temperature.

• Climate change causes more extreme and unpredictable weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts across the globe.

Biosphere

• Deforestation, clearing forests for farming and wood, reduces the number of trees that can absorb CO₂ from the air.

• Losing forests destroys the homes of many plants and animals, which leads to a significant reduction in biodiversity.

• This habitat loss can lead to the extinction of various species that we rely on for food and oxygen.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary cause of climate change, the gradual increase in the Earth's temperature?

• The buildup of gases in the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels

• The clearing of forests for farming and wood

• The loss of homes for many plants and animals

• The increase in extreme weather events like hurricanes

Multiple Choice

How does the practice of deforestation lead to a reduction in biodiversity?

• It causes more unpredictable weather like floods and droughts.

• It destroys the habitats that plants and animals need to survive.

• It releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the air.

• It increases the number of trees that can absorb CO2.

Multiple Choice

Which statement best explains how burning fossil fuels and deforestation combine to worsen climate change?

• Burning fuels releases CO₂, while deforestation reduces the number of trees available to absorb that CO₂.

• Both activities directly cause the extinction of species that humans rely on for food and oxygen.

• Both activities create more extreme weather events like hurricanes and floods across the globe.

• Burning fuels destroys animal habitats, while deforestation causes the Earth's temperature to increase.

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How Different Earth Spheres Create Ocean Acidification

• The atmosphere and hydrosphere interact where the air meets the ocean.

• Oceans absorb about one-fourth of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) we release.

• This causes chemical reactions in the water, making the ocean more acidic.

• This change harms marine life in the biosphere by dissolving their shells.

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Multiple Choice

What is the primary cause of ocean acidification?

• The ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide from the air.

• The sun heats the surface of the ocean.

• Marine animals release chemicals into the water.

• Salt from the land washes into the ocean.

Multiple Choice

What is the direct effect of the ocean absorbing carbon dioxide?

• It causes chemical reactions that increase the water's acidity.

• It makes the ocean water warmer.

• It reduces the amount of salt in the ocean.

• It helps marine plants grow faster.

Multiple Choice

Based on the interactions described, what is a logical prediction of what would happen to the biosphere if atmospheric carbon dioxide levels increase?

• The shells of many marine animals would be harmed.

• The ocean would absorb less carbon dioxide.

• The atmosphere would become less polluted.

• New types of fish would begin to appear.

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Modeling Climate Change and Taking Action

• Scientists use complex computer models to predict future effects of human activities.

• Climate models like the CCSM simulate interactions between air, water, land, and ice.

• Evidence shows the sea level has risen 6.7 inches in the last century.

• Everyone can reduce environmental harm by taking actions such as recycling and reusing materials, conserving energy by reducing consumption and using energy-efficient products, etc.

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Multiple Choice

What is the main purpose of scientists using complex computer models for studying the climate?

• To predict the future effects of human activities on climate.

• To measure the exact current level of the world's oceans.

• To create a detailed map of the Earth's land and ice.

• To design new methods for recycling and reducing energy use.

Multiple Choice

How do climate models like the CCSM help scientists study climate change?

• By simulating the interactions between Earth's air, water, land, and ice.

• By providing a list of actions people can take to help the planet.

• By confirming the exact number of inches the sea level has risen.

• By automatically reducing energy consumption in major cities.

Multiple Choice

Based on the information provided, what is the most likely reason that driving less is a recommended action to help with climate change?

• Driving is a human activity that contributes to the climate effects that cause sea levels to rise.

• The rising sea level makes it more difficult for people to drive cars.

• Recycling materials is more effective at stopping sea-level rise than driving less.

• Driving cars creates water vapor that directly adds water to the oceans.

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Common Misconceptions

Misconception	Correction
My actions don't matter if I live far from oceans or forests.	All CO2 emissions contribute to global issues like ocean acidification.
Oceans absorbing CO2 is good because it removes gas from the air.	This absorption causes ocean acidification, which harms marine life and food webs.
Climate change just means the weather will get slightly warmer.	It also includes more extreme weather like heat waves, droughts, and hurricanes.
Deforestation is only a problem for local animals that lose their homes.	It reduces tree cover globally, increasing atmospheric CO2 and climate change.

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Summary

• Activities like mining, deforestation, and urbanization harm the geosphere and biosphere.

• Burning fossil fuels releases CO₂, polluting the atmosphere and causing climate change.

• Earth's spheres are interconnected; air pollution can lead to ocean acidification.

• We can help by reducing energy use, recycling, and driving less.

Poll

On a scale of 1-4, how confident are you about the concepts covered in today's review?

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• 3

• 4