Category: Investigations
CC10. What Do YOU Think About Climate Change?
Chapter 10 { Climate Change Contents } We have considered actions by the U.S. government and other governments to slow global climate change. It’s important to recognize, however, that it is not just government officials who can make a difference. Every person in the world contributes to the changing atmosphere, and people in industrialized countries […]
CC9.2. U.S. and Kyoto
{ Climate Change Contents } { All GSS Books } In the United States, the Kyoto Protocol received mixed reviews. President Clinton signed the agreement. However, in order to have the force of law, the protocol needed to be ratified by two-thirds of the 100 members of the Senate. Various views were expressed. Sen. Joseph […]
CC9.1. Congressional Hearing, 1993
{ Climate Change Contents } { All GSS Books } In November 1993, a Congressional hearing was conducted to consider the president’s plan. The people asking questions are members of Congress—not scientists. They ask and expect the scientists to give them answers they can understand. Although this material is now more historical in nature, the […]
CC09. What Are Governments Doing About Climate Change?
Chapter 9 { Climate Change Contents } Governments are often looked to for the regulation of the “commons,” finite resources that are owned by no one but consumed by all. Global warming affects all countries to varying degrees. However, the issues are complex and controversial. What constitutes the “commons” and what actions ought governments take […]
CC8. What Are the Consequences of Global Warming?
Chapter 8 { Climate Change Contents } Two of the controversial scientific questions from the previous chapter merit a chapter unto themselves—the ones that concern the effects of global warming: I. Has the Warming Caused Any Noticeable Effects So Far? A variety of environmental changes have been observed by scientists around the globe that provide strong […]
CC7.1. Keeping the Facts Straight
{ Climate Change Contents } { All GSS Books } You may also download this Worksheet as: PDF. Name _____________________________________________________ Class Period ______________ Evidence that is causing scientists and others concern about the state of our global environment is: The average global temperature is going up. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are increasing. Many human activities […]
CC7. What Is the Controversy About?
Chapter 7 { Climate Change Contents } Controversy about climate change has changed dramatically in the past decades. In Chapter 4 we took a careful look at questions about global warming, examining Dr. James Hansen’s statement that the “globe is heating up.” We saw in chapter 4, through International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Reports and the […]
CC6.2. What Are the Human-Caused Sources of Carbon Dioxide?
Investigation { Climate Change Contents } If the average global temperature is rising and a large part of the cause is increasing CO2, we need to be aware of any ways that humans are adding to global CO2 levels. It appears true that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is much higher today than […]
CC6.1. The Findings From Mauna Loa
Investigation { Climate Change Contents } I. Carbon Dioxide in the Northern Hemisphere This investigation is “selected” by the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN) As a student assistant, your job is to analyze data from the strip chart recorder and to find the average concentration of carbon dioxide for each month. It takes […]
CC6. How Is The Atmosphere Changing?
Chapter 6 { Climate Change Contents } Let’s examine the actual data collected at the Mauna Loa Observatory (in Hawaii) and figure out what it means. The carbon dioxide data on Mauna Loa constitute the longest record of direct measurements of CO2 in the atmosphere. They were started by C. David Keeling of the Scripps Institution […]