Climate Change Education Across the Curricula, Across the Globe

Climate Change Education Across the Curricula

Category: Earth Sciences

E-Learning Course: Climate Change- A Guide For Teachers Of All Disciplines

Posted by on in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Humanities, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, Social Sciences

Two E-learning courses (MOOCs) developed by Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune on Climate Change: Science, Impacts, and Policy and Teaching Climate Change. These courses were developed through the National Resource Centre (NRC) on Climate Change at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune as part of the Annual Refresher Programme in Teaching (ARPIT), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India. 

The courses include lectures on the current understanding of climate science and climate change, societal impacts of climate change, climate change policies and governance, and impacts of climate change. Additionally, the course includes lectures on how teachers of all disciplines can incorporate climate change in their everyday teaching.

The online course video playlist includes:

  1. Introduction to Climate Science (Raghu Murtugudde, University of Maryland)
  2. Climate Archives, Climate Data, and Climate Models (Raghu Murtugudde, University of Maryland)
  3. Climate Change: Past Records: Climate Change on Tectonic Timescales, Orbital Timescales, Glacial/Deglacial Timescales, Millennial Timescales, Historical Timescales (Raghu Murtugudde, University of Maryland)
  4. Modern Climate Change: Global Warming since the Industrial Revolution (Raghu Murtugudde)
  5. Future Projections of Climate Change (Raghu Murtugudde, University of Maryland)
  6. Mitigation and Adaptation (Raghu Murtugudde, University of Maryland and Malti Goel, Climate Change Research Institute)
  7. Climate Change and Society: Culture, Politics, Social Dynamics (D. Parthasarathy, IIT Bombay)
  8. Climate Change Policy and Governance: Global Negotiations and Domestic Policy Making (Navroz Dubash, Centre for Policy Research)
  9. Climate Change: Impacts in India (Raghu Murtugudde, University of Maryland)
  10. Climate Change and Impacts on
    1. The Indian Monsoon (Raghu Murtugudde, University of Maryland)
    2. Water Resources (Pradeep Mujumdar, IISc Bengaluru)
    3. Biodiversity and Ecology (Deepak Barua, IISER Pune)
    4. The Himalayan Glaciers (Argha Banerjee, IISER Pune)
  11. Teaching Resources and Pedagogical Tools (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  12. Teaching Climate Change in the Chemistry Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  13. Teaching Climate Change in the Biology Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  14. Teaching Climate Change in the Physics Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  15. Teaching Climate Change in the Math and Statistics Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  16. Teaching Climate Change in the Economics Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  17. Teaching Climate Change in the Environmental Sciences Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  18. Teaching Climate Change in the Geography Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  19. Teaching Climate Change in the Social Sciences Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 
  20. Teaching Climate Change in the Humanities Classroom (Rahul Chopra, TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) 

About the Tool 

Tool NameClimate Change: A Guide For Teachers Of All Disciplines 
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Physics, Mathematics and Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Humanities
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Introduction to Climate Change; Climate Literacy
Type of tool E-learning Course
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed byRahul Chopra (TROP ICSU and IISER Pune) for the National Resource Centre (NRC) on Climate Change at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune as part of the Annual Refresher Programme in Teaching (ARPIT), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India
Hosted atIISER Pune Science Media Center YouTube Channel
LinkCourse 1: Climate Change: Science, Impacts, and Policy:- Link
Course 2: Climate Change: A Guide For Teachers Of All Disciplines:- Link
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Teaching Module: Teach Climate Science with the Teacher Friendly Guide To Climate Change™

Posted by on in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Humanities, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, Social Sciences

A teaching module of resources and activities that accompanies ‘The Teacher-Friendly Guide™ to Climate Change’

edited by Ingrid H. H. Zabel, Don Duggan-Haas, & Robert M. Ross,the Paleontological Research Institution. This teaching module includes videos and classroom/laboratory activities on the following topics

  1. Climate Science
    1. Energy and Atmosphere
      1. Infrared energy
      2. Infrared absorption by carbon dioxide
      3. Carbon dioxide and temperature
      4. Box Model: steady state vs. non-steady state behavior
      5. Heat capacity
      6. Thermal expansion of water
    2. Carbon Cycle
      1. Diurnal variations in carbon dioxide
      2. How many molecules make a trace gas?
      3. NOAA Mauna Loa data and rate of CO2 increase
      4. Respiration
    3. Hydrologic Cycle
      1. Rainfall and river response
  1. Climate Change Mitigation
    1. Renewable Energy
      1. Solar energy
      2. Near-surface geothermal energy
      3. Wind energy
    2. Carbon Sequestration
      1. Afforestation and Reforestation: tree biomass & carbon dioxide storage
  1. Communication and Advocacy
    1. Citizen science

About the Tool 

Tool NameTeach Climate Science The Teacher Friendly Guide To Climate Change
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Physics, Mathematics and Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Humanities
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Introduction to Climate Change; Climate Literacy
Type of tool Teaching Module
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed byIngrid H. H. Zabel, Don Duggan-Haas, & Robert M. Ross
Hosted atPaleontological Research Institution
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Classroom/Laboratory Activity: Reconstruction of Paleoclimate by Using Isotopic Composition Data

Posted by on in Chemistry, Earth Sciences

A classroom/laboratory activity to learn about the isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen, analyze the isotopic composition of ice, and understand how isotopic compositions can be used to recreate past temperatures and climate.

Students will plot graphs to analyze data from the Vostok ice core in Antarctica, learn about the ice age and the gas age, calculate past temperatures using hydrogen isotope data, and discuss the possible impacts of changes in carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) concentrations on climate.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. How can you use hydrogen isotope data in an ice core to determine temperature?
  2. How can the isotopic composition of air bubbles in ice cores be used to recreate past climate?

About the Tool

Tool Name Lab: Vostok Ice Core
Discipline Chemistry, Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in Discipline Isotopes, Isotopic Ratios, Isotopic Composition in paleoclimate reconstructions, Atomic Number, Atomic Mass
Climate Topic Climate and the Cryosphere, Climate Variability Record
Type of Tool Laboratory Activity
Grade Level Undergraduate
Location Antarctica
Vostok Station
Language English
Translation
Developed by  Stephanie Pfirman, Barnard College
Hosted at Columbia University: The Climate System course taught by Peter Schlosser, Stephanie Pfirman, Mingfang Ting, Jason Smerdon
Link Link
Access Online, Offline
Computer Skills Intermediate

Reading: Climate Change- The Teacher Friendly Guide™

Posted by on in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Humanities, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, Social Sciences

A reading titled ‘The Teacher Friendly Guide to Climate Change’ edited by Ingrid H. H. Zabel, Don Duggan-Haas, & Robert M. Ross,the Paleontological Research Institution. This book includes the following chapters

  1. Why Teach About Climate Change? by Don Duggan-Haas
    1. Why Teaching About Climate Change Matters
    2. Science Learning, Its Application, and Politics
    3. We All Have Biases
    4. Systems and Scales
    5. Love and Beauty Will Persist
    6. Resources
  2. What Should Everyone Understand About Climate Change and Energy? by Don Duggan-Haas
    1. What Do You Think?
    2. Collecting Expert Opinions
    3. Consensus Documents
    4. Striving for a Coherent Conceptual Framework
    5. Resources
  3. What is Climate? by Ingrid H. H. Zabel and Others
    1. Climate is a System
    2. Measuring Climate
    3. Greenhouse Gases and Global Temperature
    4. Natural Causes of Climate Change
    5. Summary
    6. Resources
  4. Climate Change Through Earth History by Robert M. Ross and Others
    1. Why Past Climate Change Matters
    2. Observing Climate Through Time in the Rock Record
    3. History of the Earth’s Climate
    4. Climate Analogs and Models
    5. Resources
  5. Evidence For and Causes of Recent Climate Change by Ingrid H. H. Zabel and Others
    1. Changing Temperatures and Carbon Dioxide
    2. Shrinking Ice Sheets and Glaciers
    3. Changing Sea Ice Extent
    4. Thawing Permafrost
    5. Rising Sea Level
    6. Causes of Recent Climate Change
    7. What are the Likely Effects of Climate Change Going to Be?
    8. Resources
  6. 6. US Regional Climates, Current and Future by Ingrid H. H. Zabel and Benjamin Brown-Steiner
    1. Describing Climates
    2. Northeast
    3. Southeast
    4. Midwest
    5. South Central
    6. Northwest Central
    7. Southwest
    8. West
    9. Hawaii
    10. Alaska
    11. Resources
  7. Climate Change Mitigation by Ingrid H. H. Zabel
    1. What is Mitigation?
    2. Mitigation Strategies
    3. Summary
    4. Resources
  8. Geoengineering by Ingrid H. H. Zabel
    1. Counteracting Climate Change
    2. Examples of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Techniques
    3. Examples of Solar Radiation Management (SRM) Techniques
    4. Geoengineering Choices
    5. Resources
  9. Climate Change Adaptation by Ingrid H. H. Zabel
    1. How Much Does Adaptation Cost?
    2. Types of Adaptation Strategies
    3. Adatation to Different Climate Hazards
    4. Equity and Social Justice Considerations
    5. Resources
  10. Obstacles to Addressing Climate Change by Don Duggan-Haas
    1. Controversial Issues and Complex Systems
    2. Creating Meaningful Dialog
    3. Factors That Influence How We think
    4. How Do People Change Their Minds?
    5. How Can We Envision New Systems?
    6. Resources
  11. Perspective by Don Duggan-Haas
    1. Apocalyptic Tales of Climate Change
    2. Use of Language and Perspective in Teaching Climate Change
    3. Hope and Optimism
    4. Apocalyptic Prophesies Versus Predictions of Climate Change 
    5. Reality Check: A Personal Perspective 
    6. Science Teaching Toward a Sustainable World 
    7. Resources

About the Tool 

Tool NameThe Teacher Friendly Guide To Climate Change
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Physics, Mathematics and Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Humanities
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Introduction to Climate Change; Climate Literacy
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed byIngrid H. H. Zabel, Don Duggan-Haas, & Robert M. Ross
Hosted atPaleontological Research Institution
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: What is the Atmosphere?

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Geography

A short reading by the Aspen Global Change Institute that summarizes what the atmosphere is. This resource can be used as an introduction to the topic by teachers interested in teaching about climate change and the role of the atmosphere.

This reading includes overview discussions on the following topics:

  1. What is the atmosphere?
  2. What makes up the atmosphere?
  3. How do humans affect the atmosphere?

The reading also includes a short journal activity. 

Students will understand what the atmosphere is. They will also understand about climate change and the role of the atmosphere.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is the atmosphere?
  2. Discuss climate change and the role of the atmosphere.

About the Tool 

Tool NameThe Atmosphere
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Geography
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Introduction to Climate Change
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelMiddle School; High School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byAspen Global Change Institute
Hosted atAspen Global Change Institute website
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Video Micro-lecture: Ocean Buffer Chemistry

Posted by on in Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences

A video micro-lecture that explains carbonate buffering in the ocean. It includes discussions on the changes in the chemical composition of the ocean caused by a higher concentration of dissolved CO2, ocean acidification and the resulting effect on ocean biota.

Read More “Video Micro-lecture: Ocean Buffer Chemistry”

Reading: What is the Cryosphere?

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Geography

A short reading by the Aspen Global Change Institute that summarizes what the cryosphere is. This resource can be used as an introduction to the topic by teachers interested in teaching about climate change and the role of the cryosphere.

This reading includes overview discussions on the following topics:

  1. What is the cryosphere?
  2. How does the cryosphere change?
  3. Human interactions with the cryosphere

The reading also includes a short journal activity. 

Students will understand what the cryosphere is. They will also understand about climate change and the role of the cryosphere.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is the cryosphere?
  2. Discuss climate change and the role of the cryosphere.

About the Tool 

Tool NameThe Cryosphere
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Geography
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Introduction to Climate Change
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelMiddle School; High School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byAspen Global Change Institute
Hosted atAspen Global Change Institute website
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: A History of Climate Models

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Physics

A reading titled ‘Simple Models of Climate Change’ by Spencer Weart hosted on the website of Center for History of Physics, American Institute of Physics. This reading is a supplement to Spencer Weart’s book titled, ‘The Discovery of Global Warming’. This reading provides a history of climate change models from 1950 and how they evolved over time. 

Students will learn about various topics in physics and earth sciences such as the greenhouse effect, atmospheric radiation, heat transfer, and general atmospheric circulation models. They will also learn how some ideas – correct and incorrect, about climate sciences were theorised and evolved with time.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. When was the first climate change model theorised?
  2. What were some of the misconceptions about climate change in the mid-20th century?
  3. What ideas and methods about climate change from the past have carried on into current climate change models?

About the Tool

Tool NameSimple Models of Climate Change
DisciplinePhysics, Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Physics, Climate Models, Atmospheric Circulation, Heath Transfer, Radiation, Chaos Theory
Climate TopicPlanetary Climate; Planetary Energy Balance
Type of toolReading
Grade LevelHighschool, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed bySpencer Weart
Hosted atCenter for History of Physics, American Institute of Physics
LinkLink
AccessOnline/ Offline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: What is the Hydrosphere?

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Geography

A short reading by the Aspen Global Change Institute that summarizes what the hydrosphere is. This resource can be used as an introduction to the topic by teachers interested in teaching about climate change and the role of the hydrosphere.

This reading includes overview discussions on the following topics:

  1. What is the hydrosphere?
  2. The variable hydrosphere
  3. How is the hydrosphere changing?

The reading also includes a short journal activity. 

Students will understand what the hydrosphere is. They will also understand about climate change and the role of the hydrosphere.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is the hydrosphere?
  2. Discuss climate change and the role of the hydrosphere.

About the Tool 

Tool NameThe Hydrosphere
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Geography
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Introduction to Climate Change
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelMiddle School; High School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byAspen Global Change Institute
Hosted atAspen Global Change Institute website
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Video Lecture: An Introduction to Atmospheric Thermodynamics

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Physics

A video lecture titled, ‘Atmospheric Thermodynamics – Introduction’ from the e-learning course, ‘Introduction to Atmospheric Science’ developed by C Balaji, IIT Madras, for National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), India. This video lecture discusses the laws of thermodynamics, the gas laws, Boyle’s Law, Hooke’s law, and Dalton’s Law.

Students will learn about the basics of thermodynamics and its importance in atmospheric physics. They will learn about the role of pressure, partial pressure, temperature, and molecular behaviour in thermodynamic calculations. Additionally, students will also learn about the role of thermodynamic laws and calculations in various fields of studies.

A transcript of the lecture is also provided.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What are the laws of thermodynamics?
  2. How do changes in temperature and pressure impact thermodynamic calculations?
  3. How are thermodynamic calculations used to predict climate and weather patterns?

About the tool

Tool NameLecture-10: Atmospheric Thermodynamics- Introduction
DisciplinePhysics, Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineThermodynamics, Atmospheric Thermodynamics, Atmospheric Sciences, First law of Thermodynamics, Second Law of Thermodynamics, Earth system, Boyle’s Law, Hooke’s law, Dalton’s Law
Climate TopicClimate and the Atmosphere
Type of toolVideo Lecture (51 mins)
Grade LevelUndergraduate, Graduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed byC Balaji, IIT Madras
Hosted atNPTEL (https://nptel.ac.in/courses/119/106/119106008/)
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: What is the Lithosphere?

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Geography

A short reading by the Aspen Global Change Institute that summarizes what the lithosphere or geosphere is. This resource can be used as an introduction to the topic by teachers interested in teaching about climate change and the role of the geosphere.

This reading includes overview discussions on the following topics:

  1. What is the Geosphere?
  2. How does the geosphere interact in the earth system?
  3. How do humans interact with the geosphere?

The reading also includes a short journal activity. 

Students will understand what the geosphere is. They will also understand about climate change and the role of the lithosphere or geosphere.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is the lithosphere or geosphere?
  2. Discuss climate change and the role of the lithosphere.

About the Tool 

Tool NameThe Geosphere
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Geography
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Introduction to Climate Change
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelMiddle School; High School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byAspen Global Change Institute
Hosted atAspen Global Change Institute website
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Video/ Microlecture: Quantum Physics

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Physics

A microlecture that describes the photoelectric effect and how it works with respect to greenhouse gases. This video by Shohini Ghose for TEDxVictoria describes how light and matter possess energy and how the transfer of this energy occurs between different bodies.

Students will learn briefly about the discovery of the photoelectric effect and its relevance to quantum physics. They will further be introduced to various technologies, such as solar cells, which utilize this phenomenon and how they may help combat global warming. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Describe the photoelectric effect.
  2. Describe the greenhouse effect. 
  3. Discuss the various technologies discussed in the video that utilize the photoelectric effect that may help combat global warming.

About the tool

Tool NameHow Quantum Physics Can Help Us Fight Climate Change
DisciplinePhysics, Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineQuantum Physics, Photoelectric Effect, Photons, Wavelengths of Light, Visible Light, Infrared Radiation, Greenhouse Effect, Solar Cells, Quantum Entanglement
Climate Topic Climate and the Atmosphere; Energy, Economics and Climate Change; Climate Mitigation and Adaptation
Type of tool Video/ Microlecture (15 mins)
Grade LevelHigh School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byShohini Ghose
Hosted atTEDxVictoria
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Climate Disasters: An Overview

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography

A reading by the Third Pole that discusses the link between climate change and natural disasters. This  overview reading can be used as an introduction to the topic by teachers interested in teaching about climate change and disasters and hazards. The reading focuses on discussions on climate change related disasters in South Asia. It covers topics such as cyclones, floods, landslides, glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), forest fires, droughts in South Asia. It further discusses the difference between ‘slow’ and ‘fast’ natural disasters. 

Students will understand how natural disasters and climate change are related. They will further learn about how climate change is causing natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, landslides, glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), forest fires, droughts in South Asia.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Discuss the link between climate change and natural disasters.
  2. Discuss the trend of climate-related disasters from 1900 to 2009. 

About the Tool 

Tool NameClimate Disasters
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview, Cyclones, Floods, Landslides, Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), Forest Fires, Droughts
Climate Topic Disasters and Hazards; Climate Literacy
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal; Asia
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byThe Third Pole
Hosted atThe Third Pole
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Video Lecture: Quantum Mechanics and Climate Change

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Physics

A lecture that describes how quantum mechanics plays a role in understanding Earth’s climate systems and climate change. This lecture by Brad Marston, Brown University, uses Richard Feynman’s double slit experiment to explain how changing concentrations of greenhouse gases could potentially affect Earth’s climate.

Students will be provided an overview of several key concepts in physics, such as the photoelectric effect, and some of the important equations used. They will further be introduced to the changing levels of CO2, atmospheric dynamics, how temperatures are measured, and how melting sea ice is affecting the circulation of wind, among other things.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. State the Photoelectric Effect along with its equation.
  2. Discuss the equation used to measure temperatures on different planets. 
  3. Discuss how the melting of ice affects the circulation of winds?

About the tool

Tool NameHow Quantum Physics Can Help Us Fight Climate Change
DisciplinePhysics, Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineQuantum Physics, Photoelectric Effect, Photons, Quantum Mechanics, Atmospheric Dynamics, Planck’s Constant, Richard Feynman Experiment 
Climate Topic Climate and the Atmosphere
Type of tool Video Lecture (1h 17mins)
Grade LevelUndergraduate, Graduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byBrad Marston, Brown University
Hosted atYouTube
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Chaos Theory and Global Warming

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Physics

A reading titled ‘Chaos in the Atmosphere’ by Spencer Weart hosted on the website of Center for History of Physics, American Institute of Physics. This reading is a supplement to Spencer Weart’s book titled, ‘The Discovery of Global Warming’, that explains complex models about weather prediction and chaos theory. 

Students will learn about chaos theory with respect to the Earth’s atmosphere and climate system. They will also learn how chaos theory is used to make predictions and calculations for climate change.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is chaos theory?
  2. What makes climate calculation difficult to predict?
  3. How can small changes lead to catastrophic climate impact?

About the Tool

Tool NameChaos in the Atmosphere
DisciplinePhysics, Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineChaos Theory, Climate Models, Atmospheric Physics, Weather Prediction
Climate TopicPlanetary Climate; Planetary Energy Balance
Type of toolReading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed bySpencer Weart
Hosted atCenter for History of Physics, American Institute of Physics
LinkLink
AccessOnline/ Offline
Computer SkillsBasic

Video: Permafrost and Climate Change

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography

A video that introduces permafrost and its distribution on Earth. The video also describes the changing nature of permafrost across several regions due to higher surface temperatures and the possible impact of permafrost thawing on Earth’s climate.

Read More “Video: Permafrost and Climate Change”