What is Climate Change?
Climate change is the term used to explain the change in the earth’s temperature as a result of human behaviour. Since the 1970’s the earth’s temperature has increased by 0.4 C and scientific research shows that this is caused by human activity rather than natural causes. This temperature increase comes from greenhouse gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide and methane) that build up in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide is produced through the burning of fossil fuels: oil, gas and coal. Carbon dioxide is measured in parts per million (ppm) in the atmosphere. A safe level of carbon dioxide is 350ppm. Currently, we are emitting 386ppm per year and this is rising by 2-3ppm each year. Pre-industrial levels of carbon dioxide were 280ppm.
For lesson plans and activities on the topic of climate change
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