Global Climate Change

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Earth provides a habitat environment unlike any other known planet.  Much of this is due to earth's atmosphere. This invisible protector of various gasses contains the oxygen necessary for most survival of most organisms, helps to keep the planet warm and helps to keep life safe from harmful UV sunlight rays.  Much of this and more is dependent on the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  Measurements of the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have been found to be increasing, drastically, over the last 50-100 years.  What has caused this change and how might it affect life, including the lives of humans, in the years to come?  This is a crucial question to biology, science, and the existence of life on the planet and the question we will examine in this unit.

Unit Question:
Will carbon destroy life on earth?

Unit Project

Students will create an illustrated map to demonstrate the relationship between the carbon cycle, photosynthesis, greenhouse effect, and human influence on organisms within changed ecosystems. 
Students will plan, conduct, and investigate factors influencing the greenhouse effect.

Unit Skills

  • Skill 2: Developing & Using Model
  • ​Skill 3: Planning Investigations
  • Skill 4: Carrying out Investigations
  • Skill 5: Analyzing & Interpreting Data
  • Skill 6: Creating Explanations & Designing Solutions​

Unit Content

  • I can make a model to illustrate the process and role of photosynthesis and respiration in the cycling of carbon within the environment. 
  • I can evaluate reasons why ecosystems remain consistent, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem

Additional Resources