Human Impact on the Environment

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Description

To develop a basic understanding of the science of climate change.
To be able to describe how the greenhouse effect is related to climate change.
To understand that human activities and greenhouse gases contribute to climate change.

Task

Activity #1: Getting Settled

Take two to three minutes to have everyone settled and log onto their computers

Activity #2: Creating a TakingITGlobal Account (20 minutes)

Direct students to create a TakingITGlobal account, introducing the site as a tool and pointing out the various sections that will be used as resources or referral points (Discussion Board, Activities/Assignments page, how to upload, etc.) – Refer to TakingITGlobal Sign Up Handout

Activity #3: Watch Video

Watch the Greenhouse Effect video and take notes on the following terms while watching it.

Climate change
Fossil fuels
Global warming
Greenhouse effect
Greenhouse gases

Following the video, write down definitions to these terms. As a class, compare your definitions to ensure that you have all grasped these important climate change concepts.

Activity #4: Discussion

To be done in groups of about 10 students.

1. Choose one of the Societies Past Handouts to investigate (make sure class is divided evenly among the three topics).

2. Read through the handout and look to clues that reveal the fate of the civilization.

3. Do online research to discover what happened to the civilization.

4. In your group, discuss how you can relate the stories of this society to the way in which your society operates.

5. Post a 200 word blog to the Student Blogs section that answers the following questions in a short paragraph:

How is the story of the Vikings, Anasazi, or Easter Islanders relevant today?
What sort of impact do current human societies have on their surrounding environments? (visit TakingITGlobal's climate change page link below for tons of additional resources and information about climate change)
Should we be concerned about our own future, considering the current impact of humans on the environment?
What might be some indicators that different parts of earth might be reaching their "carrying capacity"?
What lessons can we learn from studying this historical civilization?
Respond to one other blog posting

Learning Objectives

The first step to taking action on climate change is to understand the basic science behind it and what factors contribute to the problem. This activity explores the greenhouse effect and how human activities contribute to climate change.

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