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6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction SS060505 Lesson 5 Graphic Organizer Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools Page 1 of 12 December 19, 2013 6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction SS060505 Lesson 5 Big Idea Card Big Ideas of Lesson 5 Unit 5 • Using fossil fuels to create energy results in the emission of greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming. • Global warming has resulted in climate change. • Continued global warming can have many negative effects on the environment including rising ocean levels, destruction of habitats, melting glaciers, droughts, and extreme weather events. • People favor different approaches to the challenge of climate change. Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools Page 2 of 12 December 19, 2013 6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction SS060505 Lesson 5 Word Cards Word Cards from previous lessons used in this lesson: • • • • • • human/environment interaction – Word Card #3 from Lesson 1 natural resources – Word Card #4 from Lesson 2 fossil fuels – Word Card #7 from Lesson 2 per capita – Word Card #9 from Lesson 2 energy – Word Card #14 from Lesson 4 greenhouse gases – Word Card #20 from Lesson 4 21 climate change changes in Earth’s climate caused by global warming Example: Most scientists believe climate change is related to the increased use of fossil fuels. (SS060505) Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools Page 3 of 12 December 19, 2013 6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction SS060505 Lesson 5 Global Warming Chart Question Your Answer Answer from the reading What causes global warming? How is the use of energy connected to global warming? What might be some of the consequences of continued global warming? What country is the largest contributor to global warming? What can be done to reduce global warming pollution? Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools Page 4 of 12 December 19, 2013 6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction SS060505 Lesson 5 Global Warming Text Selection Q: What causes global warming? A: Carbon dioxide and other air pollution contribute to global warming. These gases collect in the atmosphere like a thickening blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm up. Coal-burning power plants are the largest U.S. source of carbon dioxide pollution. They produce 2.5 billion tons every year. Automobiles, the second largest source, create nearly 1.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) annually. Q: What might be some of the consequences of continued global warming? A: Global warming is a complex phenomenon, and its full-scale impact is hard to predict far in advance. Each year, however, scientists learn more about how global warming is affecting the planet. Many scientists agree that certain consequences are likely to occur if current trends continue. Among these are the following: • Melting glaciers, early snowmelt and severe droughts will cause more dramatic water shortages in the American West. • Rising sea levels will lead to coastal flooding on the Eastern seaboard, in Florida, and in other areas, such as the Gulf of Mexico. • Warmer sea surface temperatures will fuel more intense hurricanes in the southeastern Atlantic and Gulf coasts. • Forests, farms, and cities will face troublesome new pests and more mosquito-borne diseases. • Disruption of habitats such as coral reefs and alpine meadows could drive many plant and animal species to extinction. Q: What country produces the most carbon dioxide emssions? A: In 2005, the United States was the largest contributor to global warming. However, by 2012, China had overtaken the United States as the country with the largest carbon dioxide emissions. Though there are fewer Americans than Chinese citizens, we contribute a larger share of CO2 emissions per capita (per person). Estimates for 2012 reveal that China’s per capita emissions were more than twice that as the United States. Q: What can be done to reduce global warming pollution? A: One important step is to reduce pollution from vehicles and power plants. Right away, we should put existing technologies for building cleaner cars and more modern electricity generators into widespread use. We can increase our reliance on renewable energy sources such as wind, sun, and geothermal. And we can manufacture more efficient appliances and conserve energy. Sources: “Global Warming Basics.” Global Warming. Natural Resources Defense Council. 16 April 2013 <http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/f101.asp?gclid=CJuYqdXGtrYCFY4-MgodczMAAw#1>; List of Countries by Carbon Dioxide Emissions. Wikipedia. 5 December 2013 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions#List_of_countries_by_2012_emissions_estimates>. Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools Page 5 of 12 December 19, 2013 6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction SS060505 Lesson 5 Global Warming – Sample Answers Question Your Answer Answer from the reading What causes global warming? Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that is collecting in the atmosphere. How is the use of energy connected to global warming? Coal burning power plants and automobiles are the biggest causes of carbon dioxide pollution. What might be some of the consequences of continued global warming? Which countries are the largest sources of global warming? What can be done to reduce global warming pollution? Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools • Melting glaciers • Droughts • Rising sea levels will lead to flooding • More intense hurricanes • New pests and diseases in forests, farms and cities • Disruption of habitats United States and China • Reduce pollution from vehicles and power plants by building cleaner cars and more modern electricity generators • Use wind, sun and geothermal energy • Manufacture more efficient appliances • Conserve energy Page 6 of 12 December 19, 2013 6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction SS060505 Lesson 5 Approach #1 1. We need decisive local, national and international action to prevent and minimize the worst consequences of climate change. What’s most needed now is strong government action to dramatically cut the production of greenhouse gases, slow down global warming, and prevent, as much as possible, the damage it would otherwise do. Therefore we should do things like: Increase conservation and fuel efficiency by: • Requiring car makers to produce more fuel efficient cars, and discouraging consumers from buying gasguzzlers through a heavy sales tax on those vehicles. • Taxing carbon emissions to encourage the industrial sector to curb their emissions. • Putting construction codes in place that require new buildings to be highly energy efficient. • Investing in energy-saving public transportation. Increase federal funding for scientific research into: • Clean, renewable sources of energy (such as solar, wind, and safe forms of nuclear energy). • Technologies that “capture” greenhouse gases from smokestacks and “store” them in ways that render them relatively harmless to the environment. Take a leading role in international efforts to: • Reduce greenhouse gases through policies that put strict limits on the amount of carbon emissions a country can release into the atmosphere. • Provide aid to developing countries in the form of know-how and resources that help them industrialize with clean energy. The Role of Government Our government must play a major role in addressing climate change at home and leading the way abroad. This is precisely the kind of long-term, complex issue that governments should do. Private businesses, focused as they are on the bottom line, have little incentive to address this on their own. The Role of Business With strong governmental regulations, business and industry must begin to make necessary changes to reduce emissions. The Role of Citizens In addition to voting for candidates who support the above policies, citizens can do things like: • Recycle and use energy in the home and at work more efficiently, and encourage others to do the same. • Buy local food and merchandise, because they require less transportation to reach us, and are therefore responsible for less greenhouse gas emissions. Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools Page 7 of 12 December 19, 2013 6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction SS060505 Lesson 5 Approach #2 2. We need to make sure our most vulnerable communities adapt to the inevitable changes global warming will cause. Given how far global warming has already advanced, and given how little willingness and ability the world has shown to face up to it, the wisest course of action is to figure out how to help our most vulnerable communities adapt to the serious problems climate change will inevitably cause. Therefore we should do things like: Adapt society to harsher weather conditions by: • Enacting new building codes to make our cities more weather- and flood-proof. • Giving aid to farmers to help them switch to crops and methods that can survive climate disruptions. • Developing new dams and water control systems to minimize the impact on cities likely to be affected by higher sea levels. Discourage people from living in areas that are likely to be hard-hit by floods and wildfires by: • Ending federal flood insurance. • Providing tax incentives that encourage them to move to less vulnerable regions. • Focusing business development in regions of the country least likely to be affected by severe weather and flooding. Increase federal funding for scientific research into such areas as: • Developing local food crops that can adapt to harsh weather conditions. • Control of tropical diseases and pests. The Role of Government State and local government, with the federal government’s support, should lead local communities in developing ways to cope with the problems and challenges that climate change is likely to create. The Role of Business Instead of asking businesses to reduce greenhouse emissions, they should be required to donate a meaningful percentage of their profits to fund local programs that help communities adapt to climate change. The Role of Citizens In addition to voting for candidates who support the above policies, citizens can do things like: • Learn about the impact climate change could have in your area (e.g., rising sea levels, droughts, heat waves) and work with your neighbors and local officials to adapt your homes and community to deal with them. • Work with schools, hospitals, and the city council to develop evacuation plans and other emergency procedures to keep people safe during dangerous weather. Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools Page 8 of 12 December 19, 2013 6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction SS060505 Lesson 5 Approach #3 3. We should trust the free market to lead the way in the search for solutions. The most important thing we can do to address the challenges of global warming is to make sure businesses have the information, freedom, and incentives that allow them to respond to new opportunities. When it is profitable to “go green” or develop strategies that help communities adapt to climate change, creative entrepreneurs will seize the opportunity. Therefore we should do things like: Cut back on regulation and red tape that might inhibit business from responding to new opportunities in alternative energy by: • Easing patent and other regulatory processes so that businesses can bring new, “green” technologies to the market much more quickly. • Making it as easy to build and operate nuclear power plants in America as it is in many other countries. • Creating incentives for businesses to “go green,” such as tax breaks and national recognition awards. Encouraging private sector research by: • Providing tax breaks for businesses that are exploring new forms of clean energy. • Supporting business-university partnerships to develop practical technologies for businesses to implement. • Giving business interests a stronger hand and greater say in advising Congress on new environmental policies. Work toward international agreements that: • Offer trade incentives to companies that reduce greenhouse gases. • Encourage international banks and multinational corporations to invest in “green” technologies for the developing world so more nations can industrialize without contributing to global warming. The Role of Government The main role of government is to create an economic environment that helps businesses seize new market opportunities. The Role of Business Businesses should be free to pursue what is good for their prosperity with minimum interference from government so that the free market can dictate which solutions should be pursued and when. The Role of Citizens In addition to voting for candidates who support the above policies, citizens can do things like: • • Support organizations that advocate for low-tax, low-regulation policies that allow businesses more freedom to innovate. Use their dollars to reward companies that produce energy-efficient goods. Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools Page 9 of 12 December 19, 2013 6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction SS060505 Lesson 5 Discussion Guide 1. Discuss each of the three approaches by answering these questions: • What is the main idea behind this approach? • What are some of things we should be doing according to this approach? • What would the role of government be in this approach? • What would be the role of business in this approach? • What would be the role of citizens in this approach? • What might be an argument in favor of this approach? • What might be an argument against this approach? 2. Have each group member choose the approach they favor and give reasons for their choice. Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools Page 10 of 12 December 19, 2013 6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction SS060505 Lesson 5 Teacher Reference Guide: Sample Arguments Approach Arguments in favor • • 1 2 3 These policies can help us become less dependent on foreign sources of energy, especially oil. While it is likely to hurt some business interests (such as oil), this approach will protect the overall economy from ecological disasters, while also creating new business opportunities in other areas such as clean energy and “green” construction. • This approach focuses on saving lives rather than on unrealistic hopes of stopping global warming. • This will protect business from legislation that could harm productivity and prosperity. • The most important thing we can do to address the challenges of climate change is to bring the innovation and ingenuity of business to bear upon them. If we wait for the politicians to act, we’ll be waiting forever. • Relying on business solutions will avoid highly expensive government programs and the intrusive regulations and policies that restrict the freedom of businesses and consumers. Arguments against • This will be expensive and would require diverting resources from other important problems, such as health care and reducing the federal deficit. • This approach will limit consumer choices while also raising prices as businesses pass their increasing costs on to consumers. • Even if we can’t prevent all of the bad effects of global warming, we’ll only be able to adapt successfully if its effects are not too destructive, so prevention and mitigation efforts are still crucial. • By itself, an “adaptation” strategy is just giving permission to polluters to continue to produce more greenhouse gasses. • The free market can’t solve all our problems. After all, it was big businesses, in the form of energy and automobile companies (among others) that helped get us into this mess. Why should we trust them to get us out of it, or give them even more influence over the government than they already have? • More and more business leaders are themselves saying they can’t make the long-term, costly changes to bring about greater conservation and cleaner energy without significant government regulation and leadership. Source: Facing the Challenges of Climate Change. Public Agenda. 5 December 2013 <http://www.publicagenda.org/files/globalwarming_guide.pdf>. Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools Page 11 of 12 December 19, 2013 6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues Unit 5: Human/Environment Interaction SS060505 Lesson 5 Argument Writing Criteria and Guide 1. Introduce a claim about which of the three approaches you favor as the best solution. My Claim is: 2. Support your claim with logical reasoning and relevant, accurate data and evidence that demonstrate an understanding of the issue. 3. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s),reasons and evidence. The best evidence that supports my claim includes: The reasons why each piece of evidence supports my claim: 1 1 2 2 3 3 4. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented. Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Copyright © 2010-2014 Oakland Schools Page 12 of 12 December 19, 2013