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CLIMATE CHANGE
A LESSON ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN IMPACT
8 TH G R A D E S C I E N C E
PPA STEPS
 DEFINE THE PROBLEM (STEP 1)
 GATHER THE EVIDENCE (STEP 2)
 IDENTIFY THE CAUSES (STEP 3)
 EVALUATE AN EXISTING POLICY
(STEP 4)
 DEVELOP SOLUTIONS (STEP 5)
 SELECT THE BEST SOLUTION (STEP 6)
(FEASIBILITY VS. EFFECTIVENESS)
WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?
(PPA STEP 1)
 A change in global weather
patterns: long-term changes in
global weather patterns, especially
increases in temperature and
storm activity, regarded as a
potential consequence of the
greenhouse effect
WHAT ARE GREENHOUSE GASES? (STEP 2)
 The atmosphere has a number of gases,
often in tiny amounts, which trap the
heat given out by the Earth.
 To make sure that the Earth's
temperature remains constant, the
balance of these gases in the
atmosphere must not be upset.
WHAT ARE THE GREENHOUSE GASES ON
EARTH? (STEP 2)
 water vapor




occurs naturally in the atmosphere.
carbon dioxide
produced naturally when people and animals breath.
Plants and trees absorb carbon dioxide to live. Volcanoes
also produce this gas. Carbon dioxide is not the same as
carbon monoxide
methane
comes from cattle as they digest their food. The gas also
comes from fields where rice is grown in paddy fields.
nitrous oxide
when plants die and rot, nitrous oxide is produced.
ozone
occurs naturally in the atmosphere.
WHAT EFFECTS DO HUMANS HAVE ON
GREENHOUSE GASES? (PPA STEP 3)
HUMAN
ACTION
Burning Fossil
Fuels
Cutting Down &
Burning Trees
Using CFC’s
PURPOSE OF
HUMAN
ACTION
Need for Coal, Oil,
and Natural Gases
Need for lumber,
need for space
Used to make
aerosol cans, like
hairspray, used in
fridges, and in
making foam
plastic
EFFECT ON THE
ENVIRONMENT
Releases CO2 into
the atmosphere
Releases CO2 into
the atmosphere
Small amounts of
CFC’s can trap
large amounts of
heat in the
atmosphere
WHAT EFFECTS HAS THIS HAD ON EARTH?
(STEP 3)
1) THE WEATHER:
 The effects will be different, some places will
become drier and others will be wetter.
Although most areas will be warmer, some
areas will become cooler. There may be
many storms, floods and drought, but we do
not know which areas of the world will be
affected.
WHAT EFFECTS HAS THIS HAD ON EARTH?
(PPA STEP 3)
2) SEA LEVELS:
 Higher temperatures will make the water of the seas
and oceans expand. Ice melting in the Antarctic and
Greenland will flow into the sea.
 Millions of people and areas of land will be at danger
from flooding. Many people will have to leave their
homes and large areas of farmland will be ruined
because of floods.
WHAT EFFECTS HAS THIS HAD ON EARTH?
(STEP 3)
3) FARMING:
 Some crops, such as wheat and rice grow better in
higher temperatures, but other plants, such as maize
and sugarcane do not. Changes in the amount of
rainfall will also affect how many plants grow.
 The effect of a change in the weather on plant growth
may lead to some countries not having enough food.
Brazil, parts of Africa, south-east Asia and China will
be affected the most and many people could suffer
from hunger.
WHAT EFFECTS HAS THIS HAD ON EARTH?
(STEP 3)
4) WATER:
 Everywhere in the world, there is a big
demand for water and in many regions, such
as the Sahara in Africa, there is not enough
water for the people. Changes in the weather
will bring more rain in some countries, but
others will have less rain.
 Some parts of the world will be at risk from
drought.
WHO IS AT RISK?
1) PLANTS & ANIMALS:
 polar bears and seals, will have to find new
land for hunting and living, if the ice in the
Arctic melts.
 Many animals and plants may not be able to
cope with these changes and could die. This
could cause the loss of some animal and
plant species in certain areas of the world or
everywhere on Earth.
WHO IS AT RISK?
2) PEOPLE:
 Countries whose coastal regions have a
large population, such as Egypt and China,
may see whole populations move inland to
avoid flood risk areas. The effect on people
will depend on how well we can adapt to
the changes and how much we can do to
reduce climate change in the world.
WHAT CAN WE DO? (STEPS 4* , 5**, & 6***)
 Use less cars (**)
 Walk or Bicycle
(**)
 Recycle (*)
 Do not pollute (**)
 Turn off lights when they are not being
used (**)
 Use alternative energy sources (***)
 http://climatekids.nasa.gov/bigquestions/#/greenhouse