Global Warming

[mbkudu]

I have a young student, 14, at pre-intermediate level who wants to learn more about global warming. I could just print out something from the net, but it seems too technical and difficult for his level. Does anyone have any suggestions on books or materials for this level?

[sensei]

Grab a DVD of An Inconvenient Truth.

It was Al gore's fund raising for his candidacy.

It scared the h3ll out of most people. Might work for your student too.

[mbkudu]

That's a good idea. Thanks. I've looked at websites with lessons, but I was not impressed.

[sensei]

Just remind your student not to buy everything that's being laid out before him. Having an open mind about this issue matters a lot.

Edited November 24, 2007 by sensei

[Ijustwannateach]

Yup, especially since (post-movie) the U.N. just released a report emphasizing that we're well on the way to a 3-5 degree rise in temperatures, which will create even more climate-related crises than we have now. And wasn't it just a few months ago that a Florida-sized chunk of ice dropped off the Arctic shelf?

This isn't the time to be teaching climate change as a debate; as far as the scientists are concerned (other than those paid off by oil concerns) there are some alarming trends. Kids need to be prepared for it; and especially to be prepared for the pain likely to come either way (pain from the solutions, or pain from the lack of solutions). Make no mistake; our kids will pay either way. One way to bring Thailand into the discussion is to refer to the bleached and dying coral around many of Thailand's coasts, or the discussion about whether or not Bangkok is salvageable in the long run (considering that it's technically below sea level and no serious effort is being made to shore up its protection from being flooded in the long term). Lengthy news articles were printed quite recently on these topics here.

There are so many ways in which this type of discussion can be brought into the classroom, in whatever subject- it makes for an excellent opportunity for multidisciplinary cooperation among teachers.

"Steven"

[B Fuddled]

Have you tried breakingnewsenglish? They have a ready made 2 hour lesson on the topic that includes a listening exercise you can use.

An invaluable site when you're pressed for time.

[mbkudu]

Thanks B Fuddled,

That's exactly the type of material I was looking for, and could not find. That's a good site with lots of other newsworthy lesson plans as well.

Thanks

[mbkudu]

Just remind your student not to buy everything that's being laid out before him. Having an open mind about this issue matters a lot.

Agreed. I believe that the argument on whether it's human or nature induced is irrelevant. What is relevant is that it is happening and we need to figure out how we will deal with it. More importantly, we need to give the kids knowledge so they can make decisions on how to deal with the mess we've created for them. It'll give the little crumb grabbers something to do.

[mbkudu]

I also just remembered reading this Herge with a few of my students back in the day. I'll have to dig it up and use that as well. Maybe the old Belgian was ahead of his time.

[rafval]

Just remind your student not to buy everything that's being laid out before him. Having an open mind about this issue matters a lot.

Agreed. I believe that the argument on whether it's human or nature induced is irrelevant. What is relevant is that it is happening and we need to figure out how we will deal with it. More importantly, we need to give the kids knowledge so they can make decisions on how to deal with the mess we've created for them. It'll give the little crumb grabbers something to do.

It may not be relevant for dealing with the problem but if you want to prevent it then its is important to know whats causing it

[mbkudu]

Just remind your student not to buy everything that's being laid out before him. Having an open mind about this issue matters a lot.

Agreed. I believe that the argument on whether it's human or nature induced is irrelevant. What is relevant is that it is happening and we need to figure out how we will deal with it. More importantly, we need to give the kids knowledge so they can make decisions on how to deal with the mess we've created for them. It'll give the little crumb grabbers something to do.

It may not be relevant for dealing with the problem but if you want to prevent it then its is important to know whats causing it

If scientists can't agree on what's causing it, then I don't expect a fourteen year old to either. I agree with what Sensei has said:

Puts what's out, before them, and then let them decide for themselves.

[Ijustwannateach]

It's my understanding that among *most* scientists the causes are pretty well understood- atmospheric carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons (methane is particularly damaging) causing warming, along with particulate fallout anti-intuitively causing a slight cooling effect. Add to this an accelerant effect as the Earth's albedo decreases, and then a potential ice age once the ocean's heat exchange mechanisms are messed up...

I can just hear the schoolchildren of the future in their coastal houseboats: "But GrandDad, didn't you guys *realise* that burning so much carbon-based fuel was putting the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?" GrandDad's reply: "Well, you know, the teachers didn't want to bias us, so they just put out what the government wanted us to hear and let us make up our own minds."

Once again, I'd urge those who teach elementary (at least) not to teach difficult science topics as "a debate."

"S"