Title: Greenhouse Effect

Mr. Barrett

Columbus High School

Class: Environmental Science

INTRODUCTION

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) are those gases in Earth's atmosphere, which retain a part of Sun's energy reflected back from the Earth's surface. This effect along with energy absorbed by the Earth's surface affects the long-term energy balance of the Earth and its atmosphere, which fundamentally controls the Earth's climate. Incoming radiation from the sun, mainly in the form of visible light, is absorbed at the Earth's surface and in the atmosphere above. On average, absorbed radiation is balanced by the amount of energy returned to space in the form of infrared "heat" radiation. Greenhouse gases such as water vapor and carbon dioxide, as well as clouds and small particles (called aerosols), trap some heat in the lower part of the Earth's atmosphere. This is called the greenhouse effect. If there were no natural greenhouse effect, the average surface temperature would be about 34°C (61°F) colder than it is today. As a science student you are very interested in problems associated with global warming that has been caused by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels.

TASK

Your objective is to do a research on the cause and effects of global warming on the environment and use the six steps of the Public Policy Analyst to find evidence of that the problems exists and develop a policy that will allow you to develop public policies that you think will reduce or eliminate this condition. Using the TIPS format you will present your research in the form of a three page written report.

PROCESS

Use the following guidelines for the completion of the product.

Guidelines:

Ø Research the sources listed below in order all the following questions.

Ø Use the six step TIPS public policy analysis worksheets before writing your report.

www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS.html

(1) Define the problem

(2) Gather evidence

(3) Identify causes

(4) Evaluate a policy

(5) Develop solutions

(6) Select best solution

Ø After you complete your six worksheets, begin writing a first draft.

RESOURCES

https://www.google.com/

http://www.pollution.com/

http://www.waterpollution.com/

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips/t3prod/hayeswq1.html

www.epa.gov

EVALUATION

Guidelines for your 3-page typed report.

Your three page typed report must be based on the 6 step

public policy analyst format

You may include graphics in addition to the typed 3 pages

You must use paragraphs and follow the conventions of

standard written English

A cover sheet with your name, class, date, and title of your

report is necessary.

The following rubric should be consulted :

Criteria for a Written Project

Max Points

	4	3	2	1
Introduction	All questions were answered completely and rationales for the answers were clearly stated.	All questions were answered completely, but rationales for the all the answers were not clearly stated.	Not all questions were answered completely, or greater than 2 rationales for the all answers were not clearly stated.	All questions were not answered completely.	20
Task (which includes cover page)	All areas of the task were addressed and handled with a high degree of sophistication. The plan followed by the team demonstrated a great deal of thought.	At least one area of the task was not addressed. The plan followed by the team demonstrated a great deal of thought.	At least two areas of the task were not addressed. The plan followed by the team demonstrated a moderate level of thought.	The task is incomplete and/or it is apparent that little effort went into the development of the task.	20
Public Policy/ Solution Originality	The ideas expressed by the body of work demonstrate a high degree of originality.	The ideas expressed by the body of work are mostly original. The group may have improved upon a previous idea.	The ideas expressed by the body of work demonstrate a low degree of originality.	There were no original ideas expressed in this project.	20
Grammar, Format , and Spelling	The final body of work was free of grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.	The final body of work had 1 error related to either grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.	The final body of work had 3-5 grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.	The final body of work had major grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.	20
				Your Total---->

CONCLUSION

Global warming has caused tremendous harm to our environment. The gradual warming of the earth’s environment is believed to cause a serious degradation of the environment and a increase in world ocean levels. By doing research on the resources provided, students will be able to understand the effects of global warming on the environment and use the public policy analysis to develop public policies to reduce or eliminate this condition. Our next WebQuest will deal with the related issue of acid rain.

New York State Standard For Science:

Science Standard 4

Students will: understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.

English Standard 1

Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding.

As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts, and ideas, discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.