Molecular Vibration Modes and Greenhouse Effect
Molecular Vibration Modes and Greenhouse Effect Reading A reading that discusses how chemical bonds in molecules respond to incident IR light and absorb IR energy during certain modes of vibration. The reading includes discussions on the vibrational modes of water vapor and carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules and explains why these gases act as greenhouse gases. […]
Black Carbon and Earth’s Albedo
Black Carbon and Earth’s Albedo Classroom/Laboratory Activity A laboratory activity to demonstrate the effect of black carbon on surface temperature of the Earth. This activity by Holzer et al. for the NESTA/Windows to the Universe team demonstrates the impact of black carbon on solar radiation absorption, particularly in the poles. Students will be introduced to […]
Black Carbon and Human Health
Black Carbon and Human Health Classroom/Laboratory Activity A classroom activity that discusses the impacts of black carbon emissions on human health. This activity by the Science Education Research Center at Carleton College (SERC Carleton) demonstrates how the burning of fossil fuels and biomass-based fuels results in black carbon emissions contribute to global warming, and impacts […]
Black Carbon- An Introduction
Black Carbon- An Introduction Reading An infographic that contains information on black carbon in the atmosphere and its contribution to global warming. This infographic titled, ‘Black Carbon’, by Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), explains what black carbon is, its sources, emission rates, impacts on health and climate, and solutions to reduce its emission. Students […]
Beer-Lambert Law
Beer-Lambert Law Reading A reading that uses the Beer-Lambert Law to highlight the link between greenhouse gases and global warming. This reading by Tom Kuntzleman, Chemical Education Xchange (ChemEd X), uses the Beer-Lambert Law to explain the increasing global warming potential of Earth’s atmosphere due to the higher concentrations of greenhouse gases in recent times. […]
The Greenhouse Effect
The Greenhouse Effect Model/Simulation An interactive simulation to explore the role of different greenhouse gases in causing the greenhouse effect. This PhET simulation titled, ‘The Greenhouse Effect’ by University of Colorado, Boulder, helps to visualise the greenhouse effect of the atmosphere. Students will learn how certain gases in the atmosphere absorb outgoing terrestrial radiation and […]
The Science and Modeling of Climate Change
The Science and Modeling of Climate Change Online Course An e-learning course to learn about the science of climate change, simple climate models, natural factors and human activities that influence climate, and options to mitigate climate change. Students will perform exercises and activities to model the greenhouse effect, various feedback mechanisms that influence climate, the […]
Permafrost and Climate Change
The Permafrost and Global Warming Classroom/Laboratory Activity A set of hands-on classroom and computer-based activities for students to learn about permafrost and to explore various web-based scientific data portals to investigate permafrost distribution, characteristics of permafrost, and the effects of thawing permafrost on the atmosphere and the environment. Note: The plan includes 3-4 activities; one […]
What are Aerosols?
What are Aerosols? Classroom/Laboratory Activity A quiz to understand atmospheric aerosols, their basic characteristics and impact on climate. Use this tool to help your students find answers to: What are aerosols and what are the sources of atmospheric aerosols? Explain how atmospheric aerosols can have a cooling or warming effect on the planet. About Tool […]
COVID-19 and CO2 emissions
COVID-19 and CO2 Emissions Teaching Module A webinar by Carbon Brief on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The webinar includes discussions by the following climate scientist and analysts: Corinne Le Quéré,University of East Anglia, presented that CO2 released due to human activities fell by seventeen percent by April, […]