Name: ______P: ____

Earth’s Changing Climate

Part 1: Activating Prior Knowledge

  1. What do you think of when you hear the term climate change? Write your response on an index card and give it to your teacher.
  1. Based upon your current knowledge of climate change, determine whether the following statements are Fact or Fiction. Record your response in the “Before the Lesson” Column. We will answer these questions again at the end of the lesson to see how your thinking has changed.

Before the Lesson / After the Lesson / Statement
Fact / Fiction / Fact / Fiction
The Earth has experienced natural warming and cooling trends throughout its history.
Glaciers are melting and causing ocean levels to rise as a result if climate change.
Global warming is not occurring because the East Coast of the United States received record levels of snowfall last year.
The ozone hole is causing global warming.
Climate change can cause more rain and flooding in certain areas.
Climate change impacts farmers because warmer temperatures can lead to drought conditions that damage crops.
The increasing intensity of hurricanes over the past decades may be caused by climate change.
A majority of scientists are divided on whether climate change is occurring.
There is nothing humans can do to decrease the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

The Difference between Weather and Climate:

Do you know the difference between weather and climate? Do you know how weather and climate are like walking a dog? In this animation, the relationship between trend and variation are explained with an analogy of a man walking his dog. There is much more variation in the path that the dog takes as compared with the man, but they are both headed the same way. Similarly, weather can be highly variable but climate is related to long-term trends.

Link to Video:

Weatheris the current atmospheric conditions including temperature, rainfall, wind, and humidity. Weather can be highly variable.

Climateis the mean atmospheric conditions, typically an average of 30 years of weather data. A mean, or average, is much less variable.

  1. In the analogy, the dog represents the ______.
  2. In the analogy, the dog’s owner represents the ______.

Did you know?

Part 2: Using Data to Support Claims

Climate change is a polarizing issue for some people in the general public and many have misconceptions related to the topic. However, scientists use data from evidence to make claims related to a changing climate. When scientists discuss climate change, they refer to the overall trend in climate data. Work with a partner to match the statements related to climate change with the graph that supports or rejects the claims.

  1. Record the statement and graph pairs below using a letter and number combination:
  2. Example: A=7
  3. ______
  4. ______
  5. ______
  6. ______
  7. ______
  8. ______

Climate change is happening

Our Earth is warming. Earth's average temperature has risen by 1.5°F over the past century, and is projected to rise another 0.5 to 8.6°F over the next hundred years. Small changes in the average temperature of the planet can translate to large and potentially dangerous shifts in climate and weather.

The evidence is clear. Rising global temperatures have been accompanied by changes in weather and climate. Many places have seen changes in rainfall, resulting in more floods, droughts, or intense rain, as well as more frequent and severe heat waves. The planet's oceans and glaciers have also experienced some big changes—oceans are warming and becoming more acidic, ice caps are melting, and sea levels are rising. As these and other changes become more pronounced in the coming decades, they will likely present challenges to our society and our environment.

The Earth’s climate is changing. Temperatures are rising, snow and rainfall patterns are shifting, and more extreme climate events—like heavy rainstorms and record high temperatures—are already taking place. Scientists are highly confident that many of these observed changes can be linked to the climbing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, which are caused by human activities.

Watch the Video: Climate Change Basics (2:47) available at

Option A: Science 6

Go to NASA’s Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet web site at

Read and summarize each piece of evidence that shows rapid climate change is occurring. Write your summary in the table below.

Evidence Global Climate Change is Occurring

Evidence / Summary
Sea Levels Rise
Global Temperatures Rise
Warming Oceans
Shrinking Ice Sheets
Declining Arctic Sea Ice and Glacial Retreat
Extreme Events
Ocean Acidification
Decreased Snow Cover

Part 3: What is causing the Earth’s climate to change?

Read the STUDENT HANDOUT A and answer the following questions

  1. Explain how each of the following natural factors influence Earth’s climate:
  2. Changes in the Earth’s orbit and tilt:______

______

______

  1. Variations in solar output:______

______

______

  1. Volcanoes:______

______

______

  1. How do scientists obtain data about past climates?

______

  1. Climate change models prior to the Industrial revolution use natural factors to account for the fluctuations in Earth’s climate. What has caused the warming of the planet since the Industrial Revolution?

______

Watch the Video: The Carbon Cycle (4:22) available at

  1. What analogy is used to explain the increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

The bathtub is the ______and the water represents ______. ______

Part 4: How do scientists know levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide areincreasing?

Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) is a premier atmospheric research facility located on the Big Island of Hawaii that has been continuously monitoring and collecting data related to atmospheric change since the 1950s. The undisturbed air, remote location, and minimal influences of vegetation and human activity at MLO are ideal for monitoring particles in the atmosphere that can cause climate change. This record shows that carbon dioxide has been increasing steadily from values around 317 parts per million (ppm) when Charles D. Keeling began measurements in 1958, to nearly 400 ppm today.The Mauna Loa carbon dioxide (CO2) record, also known as the “Keeling Curve,” is the world’s longest unbroken record of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.Although the data points fluctuate on the graph due to seasonal differences in carbon dioxide levels, there is an overall trend of the carbon dioxide levels increasing.

Use STUDENT HANDOUT B: Keeling Curve and Annual Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Levels to answer the following questions.

Interpreting Data and Recognizing Patterns

  1. What was the average annual atmospheric CO2 level in 1995? ______ppm
  2. What was the average annual atmospheric CO2 level in 2005? ______ppm
  3. How much did average annual atmospheric CO2 levels increase from 1995 to 2005? ______ppm
  4. Using the current pattern in the data, what would you expect the average atmospheric carbon dioxide levels to be in 2015? ______ppm
  5. Go to to find the most recent average atmospheric carbon dioxide level: _____ppm
  6. How close was your estimated value of the carbon dioxide levels compared to the actual levels? ______
  7. Does the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide show any signs of decreasing? ______
  8. How does the Keeling curve relate to the video you watched in Part 1 with the dog and the dog’s owner. If you had to create a new analogy using the Keeling curve, the dog would represent the line showing ______

______and the dog’s owner would represent the line showing ______.

Part 5: What greenhouse gas emission sources are near me?

In this section, you will learn about some of the of greenhouse gas emissions sources in their community using the Environmental Protection Agency’s(EPA) Facility Level Information on GreenHouse gases Tool (FLIGHT). The FLIGHT Tool is a publicly accessible repository of data submitted to EPA by power plants, factories, refineries, and other U.S. facilities that emit large amounts of greenhouse gases.

Background Information: Since the start of the Industrial Revolution around 1750, people have been adding substantial amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (such as methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases) to the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which makes the Earth warmer. Different types of greenhouse gases have different impacts on the climate, depending on such factors as how much of the gas is produced, how long it stays in the atmosphere, and how much heat it traps. Greenhouse gases come from burning fossil fuels for all sorts of everyday activities, such as using electricity, heating our homes, and driving vehicles. Greenhouse gas emissions can be tied to direct activities (such as burning coal or natural gas to produce electricity) or indirect activities (such as using this electricity in our homes and businesses).

The primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the United Stateare shown in the pie chart and listed below.

  • Electricity production (31%): Electricity production generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. More than 70 percent of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas.
  • Transportation (27%): Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation primarily come from burning fossil fuels for cars, trucks, ships, trains, and airplanes.
  • Industry (21%): Greenhouse gas emissions from industry primarily come from burning fossil fuels for energy as well as greenhouse gas emissions from certain chemical reactions necessary to produce goods from raw materials.
  • Commercial and residential (12%): Greenhouse gas emissions from businesses and homes arise primarily from fossil fuels burned for heat, the use of certain products that contain greenhouse gases, and the handling of waste.
  • Agriculture (9%): Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture come from livestock such as cows, agricultural soils, and rice production.

People can learn about the amount and types of greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere by using EPA’s Facility Level Information on GreenHouse gases Tool (FLIGHT tool)( The tool is an online database of greenhouse gas emissions that lets people view what types of greenhouse gases are emitted by large facilities. You have the option to view the greatest producers of greenhouse gas emissions at a local and national level.

Table 1: Summary of Greenhouse Emission Data for Nevada

Sector / Power Plants / Petroleum and
Natural Gas Systems / Refineries / Chemicals / Other / Waste / Metals / Minerals / Pulp and Paper / Total Reported Emissions
2014 GHG Emissions / 16,247,949 / 354,197 / 14,196 / 25,891 / 619,609 / 366,675 / 0 / 2,124,289 / 31,565 / 19,784,371
# of Reporting Facilities / 19 / 6 / 1 / 1 / 7 / 4 / 0 / 5 / 1 / 44

Note: GHG=Greenhouse gas

Table 2: The Top Greenhouse Gas Emitters in Nevada

Facility / City / State / Total Reported Emissions / Sector
Reid Garner / MOAPA / Nevada / 2,691,515 / Power Plants
North Valmy / VALMY / Nevada / 2,635,215 / Power Plants
Chuck Lenzie Generating / APEX / Nevada / 2,433,691 / Power Plants
Tracy / SPARKS / Nevada / 1,668,250 / Power Plants
TS Power Plant / Battle Mountain / Nevada / 1, 360, 037 / Power Plants
Harry Allen / Las Vegas / Nevada / 1,225,272 / Power Plants
Walter M. Higginns III Generating Station / Primm / Nevada / 819,180 / Power Plants
Lhoist North America APEX Plant / Las Vegas / Nevada / 817,181 / Minerals
Graymont Western US INC Pilot Peak / West Wendover / Nevada / 714,616 / Minerals
APEX Generating Station / Las Vegas / Nevada / 631,128 / Power Plants
  1. How do the following sectors listed in Table 1 relate to everyday life?
  1. Power plants: ______

______

  1. Refineries: ______

______

  1. Chemicals: ______

______

  1. Minerals- ______

______

  1. Use the information in Table 2 to determine which sector(s) are the greatest greenhouse producers in Nevada.

______

  1. Why is it important for the Environmental Protection Agency to track facilities that directly add large amounts of greenhouse gases to our atmosphere?

______

Part 6:We Can Make a Difference

Our lives are connected to the climate. Human societies have adapted to the relatively stable climate we have enjoyed since the last ice age which ended several thousand years ago. A warming climate will bring changes that can affect our water supplies, agriculture, power and transportation systems, the natural environment, and even our own health and safety.

Some changes to the climate are unavoidable. Carbon dioxide can stay in the atmosphere for nearly a century, so Earth will continue to warm in the coming decades. The warmer it gets, the greater the risk for more severe changes to the climate and Earth's system. Although it's difficult to predict the exact impacts of climate change, what's clear is that the climate we are accustomed to is no longer a reliable guide for what to expect in the future.

We can reduce the risks we will face from climate change. By making choices that reduce greenhouse gas pollution, and preparing for the changes that are already underway, we can reduce risks from climate change. Our decisions today will shape the world our children and grandchildren will live in.

What can you do?

  1. Facilities emit greenhouse gases because they are producing things that people want or need. We all play a role in climate change because we all contribute to greenhouse gas emissions whenever we use electricity, travel in a motorized vehicle, use just about any type of product, throw something in the trash, etc.Refer back to the graph in Part 5 for a reminder of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. What are some ways you could change your behavior to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

______

Carbon Footprint Calculator (Optional): There are many things you can do to help reduce climate change and its effects on people and the environment. Use this calculator to learn about some simple steps you can take to reduce your impact on the planet. Take the Carbon Footprint Quiz at

  1. Complete the following when you receive your results:

Your Summary

Based on what you're already doing, you're avoiding ______pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year, compared with the average American.

This is equivalent to the emissions from driving a car ______miles.

If you take the additional actions that you checked above, you will avoid another ______pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

This is equivalent to the emissions from driving a car ______miles

Part 7: Making Connections

  1. Establishing a Pattern: Earth’s climate has fluctuated throughout its history; going through warming and cooling trends. However, recent increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide and warming trends cannot be explained by natural factors alone. Indicate which of the following factors influencing the climate are naturally occurring or caused by humans. Also, state whether the factors cause an increase and/or decrease in the Earth’s temperatures.

Factor / Description / Caused by / Effect on Temperature
Solar Output / The sun follows a natural 11-year cycle of small ups and downs in intensity, but the effect on Earth’s climate is small. / [ ] Natural
[ ] Caused by Humans
Changes in the Earth’s Orbit and Tilt on its Axis / Changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit as well as the tilt and position of Earth’s axis can increase or decrease the amount of sunlight reaching Earth’s surface. / [ ] Natural
[ ] Caused by Humans
Volcanic Activity / Volcanoes release aerosols which can cause a decrease in the temperature on Earth by blocking the Sun’s energy. Some volcanoes release large amounts of CO2 causing temperatures to rise. / [ ] Natural
[ ] Caused by Humans
Burning Fossil Fuels for Power and Industry / Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have been burning fossil fuels. A product of the combustion of fossil fuels is CO2, a greenhouse gas. / [ ] Natural
[ ] Caused by Humans
Slash and Burn Forests for Agriculture / In some countries, forests are burned to make room to plant crops. Burning trees increases CO2 levels. Irrigated agriculture increases solar energy absorption and the amount of moisture evaporated into the atmosphere. / [ ] Natural
[ ] Caused by Humans
Burning Fossil Fuels for Transportation / The burning of fossil fuels by automobiles, airplanes, ships, and trains releases carbon dioxide and other types of air pollution that contribute to global climate change. / [ ] Natural
[ ] Caused by Humans
  1. Establishing Cause and Effect: Refer back to the information you learned in this unit. Develop a scientific argumentthat makes a connection between the increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and Earth’s changing climate.

Claim: State your position / The increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have caused the Earth to warm.
Evidence: What data supports your claim? How do we know that the Earth is warming? Use SPECIFIC data from this activity to PROVE your claim.
Reasoning: How does your data support your claim? / The reason that the Earth has gotten warmer is…
  1. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information: Extra, Extra! Read All About It!

Pretend to be a reporter covering the news about climate change and write a headline that sums up the main message based on the information you learned in this lesson. Write a brief 7-10 sentence article to accompany your headline. Use evidence from this lesson to write a well-informed article.

Headline:
Evidence to Support your Headline:

STUDENT HANDOUT A

Earth’s Energy Balance

Earth's temperature depends on the balance between energy entering and leaving the planet’s system. When incoming energy from the sun is absorbed by the Earth system, Earth warms. When the sun’s energy is reflected back into space, Earth avoids warming. When absorbed energy is released back into space, Earth cools. Many factors, both natural and human, can cause changes in Earth’s energy balance.