Questions on the Intermediate Backgrounders

Backgrounder #1: Climate Change Basics: What’s the Big Deal?

Content Questions

1. How is the atmosphere like a blanket?
2. Why is the earth now starting to heat up too much?
3. What are the main greenhouse gases?
4. How are human beings putting more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere?

Reflective Question

People have known about climate change for quite a few years. However, the amount of greenhouse gases North Americans send into the atmosphere is increasing. Why do North Americans find it difficult to reduce their greenhouse gases? What things would you be willing to do to reduce greenhouse gases?

Research Questions

1. How has the climate changed in your region over the past 30 years? Ask an older person who has lived here a long time what changes he or she has noticed.
2. Create a poster showing the earth, the atmosphere, and how climate change works. Use some of the websites listed in the Backgrounder to help you.

Backgrounder #2: Climate Change Impacts: A Changing World?

Content Questions

1. In the north, how will climate change probably affect the land and the ice?
2. Explain how warmer temperatures in the north will mean that new plants and animals could move in.
3. How could climate change cause problems in the marine food chain?
4. How could climate change affect northern land animals?
5. What effects could climate change have on northern communities?

Reflective Question

Think about your community. In what ways would climate change affect the people in your community? (Think about changes in the land and ice, and changes in the plant and animal populations.)

Research Question

Choose a northern species of animal in your region and research it. What are the habits and habitat of the animal? Think about the food the animal eats, what preys on it, what climate it likes, and what type of land it lives on. Find out how this animal is likely to be affected by climate change.

Backgrounder #3: Climate Change Solutions: We can all help!

Content Questions

1. If we really want to slow down climate change, what do we need to do?
2. What is renewable energy, and how is it created? How can using renewable energy help slow down climate change?
3. What are some of the ways you can reduce your greenhouse gases?
4. How are northern businesses and governments helping to reduce their greenhouse gases?

Reflective Question

To slow down climate change, we’re all going to have to make some big changes. What changes do you think you and your family would be willing to make? What changes could your school make?

Research Questions

1. Choose one form of renewable energy and find out more about it. Create a written report or a poster with words and artwork to show how the energy is generated.
2. Research the energy use in your household. Make a list of the things in your house that use energy (e.g., electrical appliances, furnace, hot water heater). Look at your energy bills (e.g., electricity and heating). With your family, set a target of energy reduction. Keep track of your energy bills to see how well you’re doing.