IS 126 Albert Shanker School Created by Zoe Vangelatos-Toufexis February 27 th , 2013

1. Global Warming IS 126 Albert Shanker SchoolCreated by Zoe Vangelatos-Toufexis February 27th, 2013 What is it and how does it impact us?

2. What is Global Warming? Global warming is the rise in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere.It has been on the rise since the late 19th century and its projected to continue. Surface temperature data for Earth as a whole, including readings over both land and ocean, show an increase of about 0.8°C (1.4°F) over the period 1901─2010 and about 0.5°C (0.9°F) over the period 1979–2010. Step 1 of the PPA: Define the Problem

3. What are greenhouse gases? What is the greenhouse effect? • Greenhouse gasses are gasses in the earth’s atmosphere that collect heat and light from the sun. With too many greenhouse gasses in the air, the earth’s atmosphere will trap too much heat and the atmosphere will get too hot. As a result people, animals, and plants would be impacted. • The greenhouse effect is when the temperature rises because the sun’s heat and light is trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. Step 1 of the PPA: Define the Problem

4. How do people contribute to greenhouse gasses? • Burning natural gas, coal and oil -including gasoline for automobile engines-raises the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. • Some farming practices and land-use changes increase the levels of methane and nitrous oxide. • Many factories produce long-lasting industrial gases that do not occur naturally, yet contribute significantly to the enhanced greenhouse effect and "global warming" that is currently under way. • Deforestation also contributes to global warming. Trees use carbon dioxide and give off oxygen in its place, which helps to create the optimal balance of gases in the atmosphere. As more forests are logged for timber or cut down to make way for farming, however, there are fewer trees to perform this critical function. • Population growth is another factor in global warming, because as more people use fossil fuels for heat, transportation and manufacturing the level of greenhouse gases continues to increase. As more farming occurs to feed millions of new people, more greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere. Step 3 of the PPA: Identify the Causes

5. Annual world greenhouse gas emissions, in 2005 Step 3 of the PPA: Identify the Causes

6. Existing Policy on Global Warming • Keep the door shut to any room that is not being used, saving the energy to heat that room. • Help promote community carpooling. • Take public transit whenever possible. • When buying appliances, look for the EPA/Department of Energy’s new Energy Star label. • Use cars and light trucks that get good gas mileage. In fact tell your friends that driving a sports utility vehicle adds to global warming and pollution Step 4 of the PPA: Examine Existing Policy

7. EvaluateExisting Policies on Global Warming TASK Students will work in pairs to gather data, using the internet and other sources, relating to the existing policies on global warming. The students will complete the Worksheetand present their findings, to the class, by creating a poster, powerpoint, skit or newspaper article. Step 4 of the PPA: Examine Existing Policy

8. Homework • Create a poster with some new policies on global warming. • Think about what we as a class or a as a school can do to help promote new ways to reduce Global Warming. Step 5 of the PPA: Develop New Solutions