In this lesson, students explore how human activities will continue to impact Antarctic ice, discuss human contributions to climate change, and investigate what we can do to stop/reverse these negative effects.
Context for Use
This is the fifth lesson of a five-part curriculum about Antarctic physical environments and ecosystems.
An iceberg floating in Antarctica's McMurdo Sound.
Photo credit: NASA
Goals Header
What Students Will Do
- Understand the models/scenarios of human activities and their potential impact on climate change (through ice melt)
- Recognize their own activities that increase greenhouse emissions and contribute to global warming
- Develop a list of efforts that students could make in different parts of their lives to help reduce their greenhouse gas emissions
Teaching Materials
Description
Part 1 – Future Impacts (25 minutes) Understanding models for future climate change
Students will learn about the importance of Antarctic ice shelves as the climate warms and study two models/scenarios of human activities and fossil fuel emissions.
Part 2 Human Influence (35 minutes) How can we change our current behaviors to have a more positive impact on the future of the Earth’s climate?
Ending on a comprehensive but also empowering note, this section explores how humans cause climate change and what humans can do to stop/reverse these effects.
