Educating Our Students toEducating Our Students toSolve the Global WarmingSolve the Global Warming

Crisis.Crisis.

Earth’s Atmosphere Is Not So Vast

Can We Really Be Affecting theEarth’s Temperature?

The Greenhouse Effect

A Blanket of CO2 Molecules

Captures Radiating Sunlight

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Cause: Increased Burning of FossilFuels such as Oil and Coal

Early Sign: Loss of “Permanent” IceSuch as Glaciers

1914 2004

• Portage Glacier in Alaska

Photos: NOAA Photo Collection and Gary Braasch – WorldViewOfGlobalWarming.org

Many Effects of Global Warming

Hotter Temperatures

People and EcosystemsAt Risk Changes in Water Supply

Rising Sea Level

2007

Goal:Reductions in CO2 Per Year

Bill

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of M

etric

Ton

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arbo

n

2007

2%Reductions

in CO2Per Year

Gig

aton

Car

bon

Produce electricityefficientlyUse electricityefficientlyVehicle efficiencySolar and WindPowerBiofuelsCarbon captureand storageB

illio

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f Met

ric T

ons

Car

bon

Our Goal

What’s being done now toreduce our emissions?

Solar Power Wind Power Fuel-Efficiency

What can What can youyou do to help do to helpsolve the problem?solve the problem?

There are Many Ways to Help -- andSave Money

At Home and at School Too.

Use Energy Efficient Appliances

Be Bulb Smart—Use CFLs

IncandescentCompact

Fluorescent

500 lbsof coal

What’s thedifference?

•1,430 lbs CO2 pollution avoided•$30 saved

Pump Up Your Ride!Save on Gas

Tree Planting Programs andUrban Gardening

Simple Things To Do AtHome

Turn off the TV or Radio when you’re not using it.

Take shorter showers. Heating water uses energy.

Close the blinds on a hot day if the sun is shining in.

Turn off the lights when you leave a room.

Smart Things To Do Too!

Dress lightly when it’s hot instead of turning up

the air conditioning. Or use a fan.

Dress warmly when it’s cold instead of turning up the heat.

Keep the air filters on your AC and furnace clean.

Walk short distances instead of driving.

Recycle.

• Start a recycling program• Work with your students and

administration to do an energy audit.• Calculate your carbon footprint and find

ways to reduce it.• Create “No Idling Zones” for buses and

cars.• Use Climate Classroom curriculum in your

classes.

Smart Things To Do Too!Smart Things To Do AtSchool!

An Inconvenient TruthIn the Classroom

Climate Classroomwww.climateclassroom.org

Climate ClassroomEnvironmental Education to Inspire the Next Generation of Leaders

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) iscommitted to creating age and

developmentally appropriate curricula toeducate high school students about the

causes of and remedies for global warming.

AIT and Climate Classroom• Guidelines for teaching about global warming• Age –Appropriate Global Warming Education• Global Warming 101• Adaptable versions of the curriculum teachers

can tailor to individual timeframes and acrosssubject areas

• Conservation Action projects to engage kids inactive learning

Global Warming 101

• The Greenhouse Effect• Global Warming• Impacts on Earth and Us• Help for our Hot Planet

Curriculum Design• General activity information• Background• Activity options• Suggested Action projects• Case Study• Extensions and Research• Student pages

Taking Action

• Students implement knowledge learned inclassroom

• Engage students in solving problems intheir local communities

• Help make meaningful connectionsbetween what they are learning and theworld at large

Solutions Now: The Guide to Action

• Bus/car Idling Projects• Start a School Blog or newsletter• Pump Up Your Ride• Bike to School Day• Conduct a School or Home Energy Audit• School Car Pool or Ride Share• You, Me and Bio D• Residential “Good Neighborhood” Contest

www.climateclassroom.orgregister for free to download curriculum resources!