:Greenhouse Problem
Trend Task
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Approach:  Station Level: Year 8
Focus: Climate influences 
Resources: Picture
1MB

Questions/instructions:

Glasshouses are usually warm because the glass lets heat in from the sun but slows it down from getting out.

Scientists believe that the earth is warming up just like a glasshouse. Warmth from the sun is being trapped under a layer of gases. These gases are stopping the heat from escaping. This is making the earth hotter.

Look at the picture and then answer the questions below.
 
% responses
2003 ('99)
y8
1. Name four things in the picture that add gases into the air.







volcano
82 (73)
forest fire
45 (51)
factories/chimneys/smoke/city buildings
89 (88)
trains
15 (13)
cars/buses/trucks
34 (26)
boats/ships
58 (63)
houses
11 (10)
people/animals
1 (1)
other valid response
4 (0)
2. What problems might happen if planet Earth gets hotter?






melting of polar ice caps and snow/ice on mountains
21 (17)
sea levels rising
13 (10)
low lying islands and coasts submerged, flooded
11 (6)
changes in weather patterns
23 (31)
changes in plant and animal species
37 (37)
increased exposure to UV rays
(associated with increase in skin disease)
12 (13)
other valid response
5 (4)
3. Some people want us to cut down the amount of gases going into the air.

How do you think this could be done?
reduce emissions from fires (domestic) and factories
27 (28)
reduce emissions by engines burning fossil fuel (including use of car pooling, public transport)
57 (56)
change numbers of animals or their diet (or genetics)
0 (1)
reduce production and use of specialised gases (e.g. aerosols)
23 (21)
absorb undesirable gases (e.g. plant trees)
1 (2)
other valid responses
6 (4)
Total score:
8 or more
15 (10)
6–7
43 (43)
4–5
32 (39)
2–3
9 (7)
0–1
1 (1)
Commentary
Students responded more to visible smoke in the picture than to other known factors (such as animal flatulence). There was very little change between 1999 and 2003.
 
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