Climate Change And Environment

1. Explain the composition and structure of the Earth's atmosphere.
2. Describe the factors influencing urban climates.
3. Analyze the causes and effects of climate change.
4. Evaluate the role of greenhouse gases in global warming.
5. Explain the processes of plant productivity and photosynthesis.
6. Describe the characteristics of major terrestrial biomes.
7. Assess the impact of ocean currents on world climate.
8. Identify and evaluate environmental threats and conservation efforts.

13 weeks, about 31 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1:

   • Unit 1: Introduction to the Atmosphere · 2 hours

     Read Unit 1: Understand the factors influencing temperature distribution on Earth's surface.. Review Earth's climate history and the evidence used to reconstruct past climates.. Identify examples of proxy data and their significance..

   • Unit 2: Atmospheric Composition · 2 hours

     Study Unit 2: Identify the basic composition of the atmosphere.. Understand the importance of each gas to plants, humans, and the environment.. Learn the percentage composition of gases in the atmosphere..

2. Week 2Module 1:

   • Unit 3: The Layered Atmosphere · 2 hours

     Study Unit 3: Draw and label the layers of the atmosphere.. Explain the term environmental lapse rate and its significance.. Describe each layer of the atmosphere and the consequences of ozone layer depletion..

3. Week 3Module 1:

   • Unit 4: Atmospheric Effects on Incoming Solar Radiation · 2 hours

     Study Unit 4: List and explain the processes that modify solar radiation.. Distinguish between direct and diffused solar radiation.. Explain the term albedo and its effects on solar radiation.. Identify the uses of solar energy..

4. Week 4Module 1:

   • Unit 5: The Temperature of the Atmosphere · 2 hours

     Study Unit 5: Describe the processes by which the Earth's surface is heated.. Explain the vertical and horizontal distribution of temperature in the atmosphere.. Understand the factors affecting temperature variations..

5. Week 5Module 2:

   • Unit 1: Urban Climatology · 2 hours

     Study Unit 1: Describe the energy characteristics of urban areas.. Give an account of city climate and its differences from rural climates.. Understand the impact of urbanization on local climate..

6. Week 6Module 2:

   • Unit 2: Physical Behaviours of the Atmosphere · 2 hours

     Study Unit 2: Describe the relationships between temperature, pressure, density, and volume in the atmosphere.. Explain atmospheric pressure and its measurement.. Understand the gas law and its application to atmospheric behavior..

7. Week 7Module 2:

   • Unit 3: Acid Precipitation · 2 hours

     Study Unit 3: Define acid precipitation and pH.. Explain the formation of acid precipitation.. State the effects of acid deposition on the environment and human health..

8. Week 8Module 2:

   • Unit 4: Causes of Climate Change · 2 hours

     Study Unit 4: Define climate change.. List the factors responsible for climate change.. Discuss the effects of climate change on a global scale..

9. Week 9Module 2:

   • Unit 5: Greenhouse Effects · 2 hours

     Study Unit 5: Define the greenhouse effect.. Explain how the greenhouse effect works.. List and explain the types of greenhouse gases..

10. Week 10Module 3:

    • Unit 1: Primary Productivity of Plants · 2 hours

      Study Unit 1: Explain the processes of energy formation by plants.. Explain primary productivity of a community.. Understand the role of photosynthesis in energy production..

11. Week 11Module 3:

    • Unit 2: Earth's Terrestrial Biomes · 2 hours

      Study Unit 2: Draw a map of the world and locate the various biomes.. Explain the plant and animal characteristics of each biome.. Describe the soil characteristics of each biome..

12. Week 12Module 3:

    • Unit 3: Plant Succession · 2 hours

      Study Unit 3: Define succession and climax community.. Explain the concept of climax community.. Explain the types of succession and their characteristics..

    • Unit 4: Ocean Currents and their Effects upon World Climate · 2 hours

      Study Unit 4: Define ocean current.. State the causes and types of ocean currents.. Explain the climatic influence of ocean currents.. Explain ocean upwelling and its effects..

13. Week 13Module 3:

    • Unit 5: Environment and Climate Change · 3 hours

      Study Unit 5: Explain the term carrying population capacity of an environment.. Give an account of factors affecting the environment.. Account for the global steps being taken to protect the environment..