Download lesson 9: how does the greenhouse effect impact the ocean and

LESSON 9: HOW DOES THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT IMPACT THE
OCEAN AND PEOPLE?
Understanding Goals 
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The greenhouse effect occurs when carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases trap infrared radiation (heat) in the atmosphere, thereby acting like a blanket that covers the atmosphere and warming the planet. Increasing concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide contribute to problems such as coral reef decline, rising sea levels and increased frequency of severe weather. Each of these problems has important implications on people’s livelihoods, cultures and lifestyles. o Warm oceans lead to coral bleaching or coral death and rising sea levels, threatening people who live on islands and along coastlines. Examples of affected areas include: Hawaii; Shishmaref, Alsaka; Maldives; Tuvalu; Bangladesh; Kiribati; Carteret Islands, Papua New Guinea. Vocabulary: greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide, coral bleaching, coastal erosion National Science Standards Earth and Space K­4 Objects in the Sky Changes in Earth and Sky 5­8 Structure of the Earth’s System Thematic Strands in Social Studies, National Council for the Social Studies  People, Places and Environment  Global Connections Advance Preparation  Be prepared to play the following: (All videos are shorter than 10 minutes long, ranging from 3 to 8 minutes.) o calvinjones’s video available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCezNRHGbHY (about 3.5 min) This is about the consequences of sea level rise in Kiribati. o Adam Yamaguchi’s video available from the Current TV website at http://current.com/items/76365662_goodbye‐shishmaref.htm (about 5.5 min) This is about climate‐change‐induced coastal erosion in Shisrhmaref, Alsaka. o Pulitzer Center’s video available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjdoy1Pjsjo (about 7.5 min) This is about climate change displacing the people of Carteret Islands, Papua New Guinea. o CBS News’s video available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liG_ZV289VM&feature=fvw (about 3 min) This is about coral bleaching, from CBS News. Note: Students should have an understanding of the importance of corals. Refer to Lessons 9 and 10 in Unit 1 ­ Healthy Ocean, Healthy Humans
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“Healthy Ocean, Healthy Humans: Making Connections between the Ocean and Humans” (available at healthyocean.org) for teaching students how coral reefs support many different marine species and are the sources of potential and new medicines. Plan International’s video available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJFVqCoA4yA (about 4.5 min) This depicts the problem of rising water levels in Bangladesh and how people are coping. Lesson Plan Part 1 (5 min) Skip to Part 2 if previous lesson (Lesson 8) was not taught. Briefly go over homework questions. Part 2 (25‐30 min) Have students watch the videos listed under Advance Preparation. Have them answer the following questions as they watch the videos: For the videos on Bangladesh, Shishmaref, Kiritiba, and the Carteret Islands:  How is climate change impacting each area?  How are people coping?  What might happen if the water level continues to rise? For the video on coral reefs:  How does climate change impact coral reefs?  What is coral bleaching and how does it affect other marine organisms?  How does coral bleaching affect people? Part 3 (the rest of class) Have a discussion of these questions.  How does watching these videos make you feel?  How would you feel if you were one of the kids in the videos?  How would you feel if you had to leave behind your home, never to see it ever again?  Why is climate change a global problem?  How is climate change impacting the ocean?  How is climate change impacting people and their cultures and identities? Homework Have students write down the answers to the questions in Part 3 in their journals. Resources  http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment‐report/ar4/syr/ar4_syr.pdf Healthy Ocean, Healthy Humans
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34 This is the 2007 synthesis report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It is relatively jargon‐free and provides an overview of the science of climate change, the consequences of climate change, and various adaptation and mitigation responses. Teachers can then use this information to develop more lessons if they want to delve into particular topics. Healthy Ocean, Healthy Humans
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