TKI
Hot Topic for 7 February 2002
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Greenhouse gases act like a blanket around the earth, keeping some of
the Sun's warmth close to the Earth's surface, rather than letting it
all back out into space.
Without this blanket of greenhouse gases, the Earth would be frozen like
Mars. The main greenhouse gases include methane, nitrus oxide, and carbon
dioxide.
The amount of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere has
increased dramatically over the last 150 years. Increased industrial production,
more motor vehicles powered by fossil fuels, and increased electricity
generation have all increased the amount of carbon dioxide going into
the air. Methane comes from intensive agricultural practices, and nitrus
oxide is emitted into the atmosphere from erosion.
The large amount of deforestation that has occurred in the last 100 years
has meant that there are fewer trees to absorb the carbon dioxide being
emitted.
The more greenhouse gases that build up in the atmosphere, the thicker
the blanket which keeps the Earth warm. The effect of this has been described
as global warming or climate change. Scientists expect that climate change
may result in more weather-related disasters such as floods, droughts,
and violent storms.
International agreements have been signed by governments to try to reduce
the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere. The
New Zealand government has made a commitment to ratify the Kyoto Protocol
to the United Nations Framework convention on Climate Change, which means
we must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels from 2008-2012.
Resources on TKI
Climate change
NIWA
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research provides a simple
explanation of climate variability and change, including historic climate
data and prediction for future climate change (http://www.niwa.co.nz/edu/resources/climate/overview/).
Cold Solutions
This edition of the Education Gazette's STAMpede focuses on physicists
who are researching the properties of sea ice, and how global warming
could affect sea levels (www.edgazette.govt.nz/stam/80_15/).
Iron in the Sea
This Education Gazette STAMPede article reports that minute algae thrive
when the iron levels in their environment is increased, and describes
how this is relevant to climate change and the issue of global warming
(www.edgazette.govt.nz/stam/79_22/).
Wobbling Weather
This edition of the Education Gazette's STAMpede explores how researchers
are discovering that the Earth's wobbling orbit may be affecting climate
change (www.edgazette.govt.nz/stam/80_19/).
Global Warming
This webquest challenges students to agree on a way to stop the process
of global warming (http://students.itec.sfsu.edu/ITEC815/antaramian/).
Environmental Performance Indicators
This website shows how the Ministry for the Environment monitors changes
in the environment and is alerted to environmental problems (www.environment.govt.nz/).
Ministry
for the Environment
The Ministry for the Environment's climate change pages provide plain
English explanations of what causes climate change, and what the government
has planned to try and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions (http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/climate/).
The New Zealand
Climate Change Project
The New Zealand Climate Change Project working on New Zealand's climate
change solutions has a website that includes school resources. They have
just released a second climate change booklet especially for young people
and teachers.
(www.climatechange.govt.nz).
Environmental
Defence Society
The Environmental Defence Society's website provides climate change news
(http://www.eds.org.nz/climate.cfm).
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is an international panel
convened to facilitate agreement between nations on reducing greenhouse
gas emissions (www.ipcc.ch/).
Globalchange
The Globalchange website provides information on international agreements
and news (http://www.globalchange.gov).
Solutions
This Canadian website provides solutions for individuals and families
wanting to do their part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (http://www.climatechangesolutions.com).
United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change provides information
on nations' responsibilities (http://unfccc.int).
The Molar
Volume of Carbon Dioxide
Dry ice and a balloon are used in this experiment, which involves taking
measurements of a carbon dioxide sample in solid and gaseous states to
determine the molar volume of CO2. It introduces
the concept of buoyancy and its importance when determining the mass of
objects of low density (www.woodrow.org/teachers/ci/1986/exp5.html)
Weather
Investigating
Weather
In this level 2-4 unit intended for years 6-8, students investigate major
factors and patterns associated with weather (http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/units/weather/home.html).
Rain or Shine
This Webguide provides a collection of websites with up-to-date New Zealand
and global weather forecasting, and weather science information (www.edgazette.govt.nz/webguide/79_6/).
Metservice
The website of Metservice has useful information for students working
on projects about weather. It includes details of New Zealand's climate,
how to interpret weather maps and how weather forecasts are made (www.metservice.co.nz/home/index.asp).
Weather
The education section of the United Kingdom's Meteorological Office includes
information for primary and secondary students on different aspects of
the weather, such as the science behind the weather, forecasting instruments
and methods, and the impact meteorology has on society:
(www.met-office.gov.uk/education/curriculum/leaflets/weather.html).
Curriculum
links on TKI
Science in the New Zealand Curriculum (www.tki.org.nz/r/science/curriculum/toc_e.php),
and Social Studies in the New Zealand Curriculum (www.tki.org.nz/r/socialscience/curriculum/index_e.php)
are available on TKI.
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