Lesson Plan: The Greenhouse Effect

Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.

Step 1: Topic introduction and discussion

1. Use the section, ‘A. Understanding global warming’, pages 7-9 of the document, ‘IPCC Special Report “Global Warming of 1.5 0 C”- Summary for Teachers’ by the Office for Climate Education (OCE), France, to introduce your students to the topic of greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect of the atmosphere.
2. Discuss how the industrial revolution has resulted in an increase in the concentration of some GHGs in the atmosphere.
3. Use the in-section questions and tasks to discuss the global warming potential of various GHGs.
4. Further, use the document to emphasize how an increase in the atmospheric concentrations of such gases has potentially caused global warming of the planet.
5. This document is available in English, French, German, and Spanish.

Go to the Reading (Page 7-9)

Step 2: Extend student understanding of the topic using an interactive simulation

1. Use the interactive PhET simulation, ‘The Greenhouse Effect’ by University of Colorado, Boulder, to enable your students to visualize the greenhouse effect of the atmosphere.
2. Use the simulation to show students how certain gases in the atmosphere absorb outgoing terrestrial radiation and re-radiate the energy back to Earth’s surface.Emphasize that this is the greenhouse effect of the atmosphere and increased concentration of these gases causes warming of the Earth’s surface.Instruct your students to explore different scenarios such as ‘Ice Age’, ‘1750’ (pre-Industrial Age) and ‘Today’ to visualize the effect of corresponding concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases on observed temperatures.
3. Direct your students to adjust the concentration of different greenhouse gases and to note the corresponding surface temperatures of the planet.
4. You may also use the ‘Photon Absorption’ tab in the simulation to help your students visualize the interaction of infrared radiation with different greenhouse gas molecules.
5. This resource is available in several languages including English, French, German, and Spanish.

Go to the Simulation

Suggested questions/assignments for learning evaluation :

1. What is the Greenhouse Effect of the Earth’s atmosphere?
2. What are Greenhouse Gases?
3. Explain the role of Greenhouse Gases in causing global warming.

The tools in this lesson plan will enable students to:

1. understand the Greenhouse Effect of Earth’s atmosphere
2. list some important greenhouse gases
3. understand the relationship between atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases and planetary surface temperature
4. discuss the anthropogenic contribution to global warming and climate change

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