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Day One: Gathering information about climate change

Morning session: What is climate change?
Key focus
What is climate change? What are its causes? What are its effects? How do our everyday activities contribute to it?

> Background information for teachers (morning)
> Morning activities

Afternoon session: More on climate change
Key focus
Reinforcing knowledge and understanding of climate change.

> Background information for teachers (afternoon)
> Afternoon activities

Morning   Afternoon

Six activities: Three activities: > What do we know about climate change? (20 mins) (154KB pdf) Pupils work out what they know and what they would like to know about climate change. > The greenhouse effect in a jar (111KB pdf) A scientific experiment to help pupils understand how the greenhouse effect works. > Introduction to climate change (20 mins) (151KB pdf) Pupils watch a short film in order to identify some of the causes of climate change. > Climate change – the missing words (93KB pdf) A gap-filling exercise to help assess pupils' understanding of climate change and the greenhouse effect. > Why is climate change a problem? (20 mins) (136KB pdf) Pupils watch another short film and then reflect on the problems caused by climate change. > Researching climate change (93KB pdf) Pupils carry out individual work on climate change for a possible presentation. > What is causing climate change? (30 mins) (136KB pdf) Pupils watch an animation and learn what the greenhouse effect is.   > How do everyday actions contribute to climate change? (20 mins) (136KB pdf) Pupils watch two short animations and think about how everyday actions contribute to climate change.   > Local–global question time (40 mins) (136KB pdf) Pupils work in groups to think about how climate change affects people around the world.   Download a pdf of all morning activities with worksheets and information (273KB pdf)   Download a pdf of all afternoon activities with worksheets and information (128KB pdf)

Morning
This morning’s activities feature a number of two-minute animations and film-clips which gradually build up a picture of climate change and its causes and effects, with an opportunity for the children to reflect on what they have learnt at every stage. You will therefore need an interactive whiteboard, computer and internet access throughout the session.

Climate change is probably the most important issue that will affect the world in the lifetime of our pupils. Overwhelming scientific evidence supports the conclusion that observed changes in the global climate are, in large part, due to human activities and primarily related to fossil fuel consumption patterns.

'The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (the IPCC - a high level, independent, scientific advisory body) has this year published studies which state that unrestrained greenhouse gas emissions could drive global temperatures up as much as 6 degrees centigrade by 2100, triggering raised sea levels, species destruction, economic devastation in tropical zones and mass human migrations. However, a report published by the IPCC on 4 May stated that if governments, businesses and consumers act now, it will be possible to limit the expected temperature rise to 2 degrees centigrade.'
(Source: Oxfam)

Climate change is caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide and other gases in the Earth's atmosphere as a result of human activities such as burning coal, oil and gas for transport and energy, and cutting down forests. We all contribute to climate change in countless ways in our daily lives, but some of us do more than others – a lot more.

Avoiding catastrophe will require radical changes to the ways societies define and meet their energy needs. Ultimately we must reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases include methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and water vapour, but this resource concentrates on carbon dioxide, as it is the one that individuals and institutions such as schools are best placed to do something about.

Oxfam has combined with other organisations to campaign for the UK Government to meet its CO2 emission reduction target of 20% by 2010 and establish a 'carbon budget' to manage sharp, year-on-year reductions from now on.

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Afternoon
Pupils can choose any, or any combination, of the three very different activities offered above. Timing has not been given: Activity 1 can be fitted around other work but will only work well on a sunny day; Activity 2 depends on the ability of individual pupils; and Activity 3 is completely open ended and can be developed throughout the week.

Note: You can download a clear, comprehensive, child-friendly information sheet entitled 'Greenhouse Effect & Global Warming' from Atmosphere, Climate and Environment: Information and Teaching Resources, a website developed by Manchester Metropolitan University and sponsored by Defra, The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

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