Lesson #7:

Climate Change

Learning Target

Students will be able to use evidence from a text to explain how burning fossil fuels leads to climate change and the disruption of ecosystems.

Standards

HS-LS2-7.

Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity

Reminders

End of Unit Exam Thursday, November 5th

Part 1:

Warm-Up

Check for Understanding #1

(5 min)

Part 2

Slow Reveal Graphs

(10 min)

Slow Reveal CO2

Part 3

Check for Understanding #2

(5 min)

Using the graphs above, which statement provides the best scientific explanation for the trends observed across all three graphs?

(A) Increasing human populations directly cause global temperatures to rise because more people release heat into the atmosphere.

(B) As human populations increase, greater energy demands can lead to increased fossil fuel combustion, raising atmospheric CO₂ concentrations and contributing to global warming.

(C) Rising global temperatures cause human populations to increase, which leads to greater atmospheric CO₂ concentrations.

(D) Increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentrations cause global temperatures to rise because CO₂ allows more solar radiation to enter Earth's atmosphere.

Part 4

Cause and Effect Reading + Graphic Organizer

(20 min)

Directions: Read each paragraph silently to yourself and underline evidence that explains the causes and effects of climate change. After reading, come together and discuss the main idea. Fill out the next step on the graphic organizer. Use today's success criteria as a checklist.

Climate_Change_Cause_Effect_Three_Groups.pdf

Part 4:

Stop n' Jot

Take-Away

(2 min)

Part 6:

Check For Understanding #3

A freshwater fish species reproduces successfully only in water cooler than 18°C. Scientists predict that its river will average 17°C in spring under a lower-emissions scenario and 20°C under a higher-emissions scenario.

Which prediction is best supported by this information and your knowledge of climate change?

A. Reproduction will increase under higher emissions because additional atmospheric CO₂ supplies fish with more oxygen.

B. Reproduction may decrease under higher emissions because greenhouse gases trap heat, warming the river beyond the fish’s reproductive temperature range.

C. Reproduction will remain unchanged because greenhouse gases affect atmospheric temperatures but cannot affect aquatic ecosystems.

D. Reproduction will increase under higher emissions because warmer water causes all fish to immediately develop adaptations to higher temperatures.