MS-ESS3-5: Evidences of Global Warming

MS-ESS3-5
Evidences of Global Warming

Middle School

​

Learning Objectives

• Ask questions and analyze data to find evidence for rising global temperatures.

• Differentiate between human activities and natural processes that affect our climate.

• Explain how human activities are the main cause of rising global temperatures.

• Identify climate change impacts and propose actions to help reduce them.

Key Vocabulary

​

Climate Change

The broad range of global changes that result from increased levels of greenhouse gases.

​

Global Warming

The long-term and gradual rise in the average surface temperature of our planet Earth.

​

Greenhouse Gas

A gas in the atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation, which warms the planet's surface.

​

Greenhouse Effect

The natural process where certain atmospheric gases trap heat, keeping the Earth warm enough for life.

​

Fossil Fuels

Natural fuels like coal, oil, or natural gas that are burned to produce energy.

​

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

A key greenhouse gas that is released into the air from burning fossil fuels.

Key Vocabulary

​

Methane (CH₄)

Methane (CH₄) is a very powerful greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to the warming of our planet.

​

Agricultural Activity

This includes farming practices like raising livestock and growing crops, which can release potent greenhouse gases.

​

Cement Production

The process of making cement for construction releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

​

Solar Radiation

Solar radiation is the energy that comes from the sun, traveling through space to warm the Earth.

​

Volcanic Activity

Volcanic eruptions can release various gases and ash into the atmosphere, which can affect global climate patterns.

​

Sea Level Rise

Sea level rise is the gradual increase in the average level of the Earth's oceans worldwide.

​

​

What Is the Greenhouse Effect?

• The greenhouse effect is a natural process that keeps Earth warm.

• ​Sunlight enters the atmosphere, and some heat gets trapped by certain gases.

• These gases include water vapor (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and methane (CH₄).

• Without this effect, Earth's temperature would be a freezing -18°C (0°F).

Multiple Choice

What is the main purpose of the Greenhouse Effect?

• To keep the planet at a warm, stable temperature

• To create more clouds in the atmosphere

• To block all sunlight from reaching Earth

• To cause the planet's temperature to freeze

Multiple Choice

How do gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) contribute to the Greenhouse Effect?

• They reflect all sunlight back into space.

• They trap heat in the atmosphere like a blanket.

• They convert sunlight directly into air.

• They cool the planet by creating shade.

Multiple Choice

Based on the information about the Greenhouse Effect, what would be the most likely result if these heat-trapping gases were completely removed from the atmosphere?

• The planet's average temperature would drop to a freezing level.

• The amount of gas in the atmosphere would increase.

• The planet would become much warmer than it is now.

• The amount of sunlight reaching Earth would decrease.

​

​

Factors Causing Climate Change

Natural Processes

• Natural processes, like changes in the sun's energy, can influence the climate over very long periods of time.

• Volcanic eruptions release gases and ash that can sometimes lead to a temporary cooling effect on the planet.

• These natural factors alone do not explain the rapid warming our planet has experienced in the last century.

Human Activities

• Most scientists agree that human activities are the main cause of recent and rapid global warming trends.

• Burning fossil fuels like coal and oil for energy releases large amounts of warming greenhouse gases into the air.

• Cutting down forests, farming, and factory emissions also contribute significantly to changes in the Earth's climate.

Multiple Choice

What do most scientists agree is the main cause of the rapid global warming our planet has experienced in the last century?

• Human activities like burning fossil fuels

• Natural changes in the sun's energy

• Temporary cooling from volcanic eruptions

• The planet's normal long-term cycles

Multiple Choice

How does burning fossil fuels like coal and oil contribute to the warming of the Earth's climate?

• They release large amounts of warming greenhouse gases into the air.

• They release ash that causes a temporary cooling effect on the planet.

• They increase the amount of energy coming from the sun.

• They contribute to the cutting down of the world's forests.

Multiple Choice

A student argues that the rapid warming of the last century is due to natural processes, not human activity. Which piece of evidence best challenges this argument?

• Natural climate changes happen over very long periods, not rapidly.

• Volcanic eruptions have been proven to cause long-term warming.

• Cutting down forests is a natural process that cools the Earth.

• The sun's energy is the only factor that can change the climate.

Human Activities & Greenhouse Gases

• Burning fossil fuels is the largest source of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

• Making cement is another major industrial source of CO₂ emissions.

• Farming adds methane (CH₄), and deforestation means less CO₂ is absorbed.

Multiple Choice

What is the single largest source of carbon dioxide emissions from human activities?

• Farming

• Making cement

• Burning fossil fuels

• Deforestation

Multiple Choice

What is the relationship between the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels and farming?

• They both reduce the amount of CO₂ absorbed by trees.

• They both are the largest sources of CO₂.

• They release different types of greenhouse gases.

• They are both related to making cement.

Multiple Choice

What would be the combined effect of a worldwide increase in burning fossil fuels and continued deforestation?

• Atmospheric CO₂ levels would increase even more rapidly.

• Atmospheric methane (CH₄) levels would decrease.

• More CO₂ would be absorbed from the atmosphere.

• The amount of CO₂ from making cement would decrease.

Analyzing the Evidence

​

Graphs

• Graphs can track the changes in different atmospheric gases over the years.

• They show a sharp increase in carbon dioxide (CO₂).

• This rise in gases matches the increase in different human activities.

​

Maps

• Maps illustrate how the average global temperatures have been steadily rising.

• They show that some areas are warming much faster than others.

• For instance, the Arctic region shows more warming than other places.

​

Tables

• Tables clearly show data from human activities next to temperature data.

• They can show fossil fuel use rates alongside the temperature data.

• This helps clarify the relationship between our actions and global warming.

Multiple Choice

What is the main purpose of using graphs, maps, and tables to analyze the environment?

• To provide evidence for the connection between human activities and global warming.

• To list all the different gases found in the atmosphere.

• To create detailed drawings of different regions of the Earth.

• To track the daily weather changes in a specific city.

Multiple Choice

Based on the information presented, what is the most possible outcome from the data shown in graphs and the data shown in maps?

• An increase in atmospheric gases is linked to a rise in global temperatures.

• The Arctic is warming because it has more methane than other places.

• Human activities have decreased as global temperatures have increased.

• Maps show that temperature changes are the same everywhere on Earth.

Multiple Choice

A scientist wants to present the clearest evidence to show that a specific human activity is related to global warming. Which method would be most effective?

• A table that places data on fossil fuel use next to temperature data.

• A map that shows the Arctic region is warming faster than other areas.

• A graph that shows the sharp increase in carbon dioxide over time.

• A list of all human activities that have increased over the years.

​

​

Impacts of Climate Change

• Global warming is the rise in Earth's average temperature by over 1°C.

• This warming causes glaciers and large polar ice sheets to melt rapidly.

• Melting ice and warmer oceans cause the sea level to rise.

• Plants and animals change their timing for seasonal activities like migration.

Multiple Choice

What is global warming?

• The rise in Earth's average temperature

• The seasonal change from summer to winter

• The daily cycle of the sun rising and setting

• The process of water evaporating from oceans

Multiple Choice

What causes sea levels to rise?

• An increase in rainfall and storms

• The movement of continents on Earth's crust

• Melting ice and the expansion of warm ocean water

• A decrease in the amount of salt in the ocean

Multiple Choice

If Earth's average temperature continues to rise, what is a likely consequence for wildlife?

• The timing of events like bird migration could change.

• Animals that live in warm climates will grow thicker fur.

• Ocean water will become cooler and hold more oxygen.

• Plants will be completely unable to flower.

​

Common Misconceptions

Misconception	Correction
Climate change is just a natural cycle.	Today's warming is much faster, mainly due to human activities.
Weather and climate are the same thing.	Weather is short-term; climate is the average over decades.
The greenhouse effect is entirely bad.	The natural greenhouse effect is essential for life on Earth.
Individual actions do not make a difference.	Combined individual actions have a significant positive impact.

​

Summary

• The greenhouse effect is a natural process intensified by human activities.

• Human activities release greenhouse gases like CO₂ into the atmosphere.

• Evidence shows that the Earth's temperature is rising.

• We can help by reducing emissions and using renewable energy sources.

Poll

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

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4