Higher temperatures will lead to ...

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Climate changeClimate changewhat will you do?

World News

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In the past, we were not sure why world temperatures were rising. Now, scientists have huge amounts of data showing a clear pattern. There

is strong evidence that humans have caused global warming.Why does climate change matter?

Humans have been found guilty of damaging the system that maintains life on Earth.

� Polar ice caps melting � ... floods

in others

� Animal extinctions

� Severe droughts in some areas and ...

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Climate changeClimate change what will you do? 2

1 3The Earth’s atmosphere is a layer of gases, including carbon dioxide, water vapour and methane.

� Infrared radiation (heat) from the Sun goes through the atmosphere to the Earth’s surface.

� The Earth’s surface emits different infrared radiation. Some of this is absorbed by the atmosphere – and ‘trapped’. So the atmosphere keeps the Earth warm.

So how have we caused climate change?2

The problem is that we burn fossil fuels in power stations and car engines.

When fossil fuels burn, more carbon dioxide

goes into the atmosphere. So the atmosphere absorbs

more infrared radiation. And the Earth’s

temperature rises.

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Climate changeClimate change what will you do? 3

Are you up to the challenge?

Produce a brief for a campaign to get your school to take action on climate change. � Include science to explain how your ideas will help slow climate change.

� Present your brief to the rest of your class. They will vote for the best campaign.

So it looks like humans have caused climate change. And we’re the next generation of adults

on this planet. So it’s our problem now.What will YOU do?

There are loads of things we can to do to help

– we just need to get everyone doing them!

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4Your campaign: Be a power-saver Your campaign: Go easy on the gas

Your campaign: What a waste Your campaign: Don't be a hot-head

Your campaign: Be water-wise Your campaign: Plant power

Climate change could be slowed down if people did not waste water.

Climate change could be slowed down if people did not throw out so much rubbish.

Climate change could be slowed down if people did not waste electricity.

Climate change could be slowed down if people did not burn so much fuel in vehicles.

Climate change could be slowed down if people heated their homes more efficiently.

Climate change could be slowed down if there were more plants on the Earth.

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The Facts: The rubbish you throw away will

The Facts: The water that goes down your plughole is eventually reused – so valuable energy is needed to clean it up. Hot water in your home has been heated by electricity or by burning methane gas (a fossil fuel) – so don’t waste it!

The Facts:Most of the electricity in this country is produced in fossil fuel-burning power stations. Burning fossil fuels (like coal and oil) releases carbon dioxide and water vapour into the atmosphere – both of these are greenhouse gases.

The Facts: Your house is heated by electricity or by burning methane gas (a fossil fuel). Having the heating up too high – or wasting heat because your house is not properly insulated – both add to global warming.

The Facts:Plants absorb carbon dioxide. Every time you use wood or paper from a non-sustainable source (one where the trees are not replanted when they are cut down) you are adding to global warming.

The Facts:Burning fuel in the engines of cars, lorries and aeroplanes produces carbon dioxide. Going on holiday on an aeroplane – and buying imported food – are ways of increasing global warming that you might not have even thought about.

probably be burnt (which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere) or left to rot in landfill sites (which release methane). Recycling or reusing waste saves on energy consumption as it cuts out the need for manufacturing new goods.

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Climate changeClimate change what will you do? 6

Campaign Brief Planning SheetOur campaign is called:

Vote for us because:

It's important to do this because:

During our campaign we will:

Our campaign will encourage students and teachers to:

Explain what climate change is and how your campaign will make a difference.

Describe your campaign. How will

you get people to listen to your

message?

Why should the people vote for you?

How will your campaign be fun and

informative?

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Climate changeClimate change what will you do? 7

Which campaign gets your vote?

Be a power saver

Go easy on the gas

What a waste

Don't be a hot-head

Be water wise

Plant power