GLOBAL WARMING

Filomena Borrero

JHS INWOOD 52

Ms.borrero@inwood52.org

 

Introduction

Our atmosphere has a natural supply of a combination of gases that absorb and emit radiation in a way that keeps the surface of the Earth warm enough for us to live on.  That combination of gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone) is called greenhouse gases. The process of warming the Earth's atmosphere is called the greenhouse effect. Many people fear that because of an imbalance of the greenhouse gases, the Earth is retaining too much heat --which is why we refer to it as a global warming. 

Our atmosphere consists of many gases. Some of these gases, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor, naturally absorb long-wave radiation that is emitted from the earth's surface. Short-wave solar radiation enters the earth's atmosphere and is absorbed by the earth's surface. This radiation is then recycled and emitted as long wave terrestrial radiation. Gases such as water vapor and carbon dioxide absorb this radiation, hold it in the atmosphere, and keep the temperature of the earth warmer than it would otherwise be if there weren’t an atmosphere. This is what meteorologists refer to as the "natural greenhouse effect"

Carbon dioxide and other global warming pollutants are collecting in the atmosphere like a thickening blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm up.

Although local temperatures fluctuate naturally, over the past 50 years the average global temperature has increased at the fastest rate in recorded history. Scientists say that unless we curb the emissions that cause climate change, average U.S. temperatures could be 3 to 9 degrees higher by the end of the century.

 

Task

Your task is to evaluate the current ideas and policies about global warming and the increase of local temperature.  In addition, you will display your findings, in the form of a POSTER BOARD to the teacher and suggest new policies that can decrease the effects of global warming in the city.

Samples of Poster Board

 

 

1: The class will be divided into groups of FIVE and group responsibilities will be divided by consensus of the group members

 

2: HERE ARE THE INDIVIDUAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

·      TWO- students will do RESEARCH: research information using the Internet and books about your topic

·      STATISTICS ANALYST-research statistics and create graphs and charts that represent the statistics that will be used on the poster board

·      TWO RECORDER/ORGANIZERS/WRITERS-record group findings and work closely with the researchers and statistic analyst to organize the data. These members will complete the PPA worksheets hyperlinked below. These students will organize the date from the work sheets and complete the poster board.

·      ONE-POSTER MAKER-work closely with the organizer to display your commission’s findings on a poster, which includes important written information, illustrations, charts, graphs. This MEMBER will also proof read all material for accuracy and content. This member will also be the timekeeper, making sure deadlines are met.

THE SIX-STEP PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST

Each step of the PPA must be included on the poster board. Focus should be made on the public policy

Step # 5 and step # 6. All worksheets must be filled out and the essays for each step must reflect the completed worksheets.

1)  Defining the Social Problem

2)  Gathering Evidence of the Problems

3)  Identifying Causes of the Problems

4)  Identify and Evaluate Existing Pubic Policy

5)  Develop Public Policy Solutions

6)  Selecting the Best Policy

 The worksheets above should be completed using the INTERNET sources found in the resource section below and by use of print material, magazines, newspapers and text books.

 

 

GENERAL WEB SITES –These can be used to find all information needed for completion of the worksheets in the SIX-STEP PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST

1: WWW.GOOGLE.COM

2: WWW.YAHOO.COM

3: WWW.ALTAVISTA.COM

READ THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR HELP-“Conducting Internet searches”

 SPECIFIC WEBSITES—Use these links to focus in on the six-steps

 NOTE: You do NOT have to use all sites. These sites are for your convenience. Your group is to choose those sites they feel fulfill the task.

·          GLOBAL WARMING-A HISTORY

·          POSTER PICTURES AND EXPLANATIONS

·          POLICY SUGGESTIONS and PICTORAL EXPLANATIONS

·          NASA CHARTS & GRAPHS

·         CRITICAL FACTS

·          U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

·          GLOBAL WARMING KIDS SITE

·         HUMAN IMPACT ON GLOBAL WARMING

·         A WARMING CENTURY

·         NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

·         NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

 

EVALUATION-RUBRIC

 

 

After completing this Web quest, you should be familiar with global warming and the role human beings play, if any, in increasing local temperatures.  You will have sharpened your critical thinking skills as you evaluate the existing public policies and suggest the best policies to prevent the increase in temperature.  You will also evaluate the role humans play in global warming. You also now should be aware of the role of the public policy analyst. It is this professional who researches major social problems and finds public policy solutions to help all.

Let’s hope you and your group made a difference!

 

Common Core State Standards NYS Performance Standards:

This web quest focuses on the following English Language Arts Performance Standards:

E1c: Read and comprehend informational materials.

E2a: Produce a report of information.

E3c: Prepare and deliver an individual presentation.

E4b: Analyze and subsequently revise work to improve its clarity and effectiveness.

 

This web quest focuses on the following Science Performance Standards:

S5d: Proposes, recognizes, analyzes, considers and critiques alternative explanations; and distinguishes between fact and opinion.

S5e: Identifies problems, proposes and implements solutions; and evaluates the accuracy, design and outcomes of investigations.

S5f:  Works individually and in teams to collect and share information and data.

S6d: Acquires information from multiple sources.

S7a: Represents data and results in multiple ways.

S7b: Argues from evidence.