Animals United: Global Warming

Global warming is a topic we should always address when talking about environment in the classroom. I used this good-humored segment to lead in this important topic.

The term ‘Global Warming’ refers to the rising temperature of the earth due to an increased amount of greenhouse gases. The scientific community as a whole has determined through all research that global warming is a problem caused by human influence. The burning of fossil fuels emits greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These gases trap the heat from the sun and cause the temperature of our planet to rise. This warming of the globe could potentially alter sea level, crop yield and rain fall, and could increase the intensity and frequency of natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and droughts.

Explain what global warming is, using your own words.

Discuss:


1.How concerned are you and your family about global warming?

2.What do you do in order to change this situation?

3. What do you think about your country's stand on this issue?

4. Read the explanation about the Kyoto Protocol:


The Kyoto Protocol: 37 industrialized nations including Japan and several European countries have all committed themselves to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 33%.


An American citizen viewpoint:


"The Bush Administration decided not to sign the Kyoto Protocol for one reason – the economy. President Bush has said on many occasions that the Kyoto Protocol sets unrealistic goals and would hurt the American economy. And so, we’ve become a country that intentionally lowers our expectations to increase our chances of meeting our goals. We’ve become a country that has made it a practice to do what’s profitable, what benefits our economy the most, rather than what’s right for the world. Most of all, we’ve become a country that seems to have more loyalty to ourselves than to the larger whole of which we should be a part – we care more about how we as a country are doing financially than we do about how our world is doing environmentally."


Group work:

What do you think about his opinion? Do you agree with it? Why (not)?

Decide whether the facts below are facts or fiction about global warming:

1. For centuries there has been a thick sheet of ice covering much of the Arctic, but recently it has been discovered to shrink at an increasing rate.

2. Fisheries are forced to move from one coast to another to keep up with the shifting marine life. For example, plankton and algae increase in certain areas, but disappear in others

3. Since the ice is melting, animals living in the region become endangered. This is also a threat for polar bears. The reason for this is that these animals need the thick ice sheet for their survival, as they often use it for traveling across and hunting for food. If there is less ice to walk on, quite simply, polar bears will have trouble finding food.

4. Experts claim that by the year 2050 the effects of global warming in Canada could actually make it a global superpower, while the rest of the world suffers.

5. Canada and global warming is not a new issue on the block, and it is little wonder. Canada has so much unused territory at the moment and it is just begging to be utilized in an efficient way. Canada is projected to have a growing population and a more developed north, as well as shipping lanes going through the Arctic Ocean, which was impossible before. Other effects of global warming in Canada include freeing up natural resources hidden in the north, such as fresh water, gas and oil. This will lead to building more infrastructure and attract more immigrants.

6. The tropics that are now considered “lungs of the planet” are projected to become complete desert, which will have catastrophic effects on the earth’s overall well-being.

7. The impact of global warming is greater in Antarctica than anywhere else in the world. There has been an almost 5 degree F rise in temperature over the past 50 years in Antarctica, and it is leading to a shrinking of the surface area thickness of the ice shelves

8. climate change and global warming have a largely negative impact on rain forest animals. Some tropical species like amphibians are already becoming extinct, and many more species of animals and plants are projected to be put on the danger lists of complete extinction in the 21st century.

9. There is a number of predicted effects of global warming, including extreme weather conditions like droughts, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and heat waves. Melting ice caps are also among the predictions, with the consequent rising sea levels that will threaten the lives of millions inhabitants living along the coastlines.



Key: All the items are facts.

source : http://globalwarmingissues.wordpress.com/ Don't miss visiting the site. It is awesome. Also: http://www.bionomicfuel.com/the-impact-of-global-warming-on-forests/#more-2165


Watch the segment from the movie Animals United and discuss:




1. What is the viewpoint shown in the segment?

2. What is the message given?

3. How do you relate what was discussed in class with the segment?


 Visit the link below. Make sure you visit the site, because it is really informative and attractive. Read the info graphic about global warming and climate changes. Select the information you consider most relevant and prepare a speech to share with the class.

http://www.learnstuff.com/climate-change/


MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - ANIMALS UNITED