Environmental Science
Session Date
Lesson Topic
Is global warming irreversible?
Lesson Outline
Discussion of an article written by Julia Layton for Green Science.
The discussion is centered around that by 2006, after the release of Al Gore's "An inconvenient Truth", most of the world had accepted the fact of global warming, but not humanity's causative role in it.
Most of the developed world is now onboard in the fight to save the world from certain doom- but is the effort futile?
Review the causes of the increase in world temperature; factories, cars, and power plants releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Why are these gases not being controlled and contained, as they used to be?
Discussion about deforestation and lack of photosynthesis to absorb the carbon dioxide followed
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
A little like pulling teeth today with Ayden. He was on line.
Session Date
Lesson Topic
IPCC findings on global warming
Lesson Outline
Discussion on the IPCC observations:
Ocean water depth temperature increases-
Glacial snow cover decreases leading to rise of sea levels-
Average arctic temperatures increased by 2x the global average rate over the last 100 years-
Frozen Arctic ground decrease by 7% since 1900-
Increase in precipitation in northern Europe and Asia-
Intense droughts in areas-
Increases in extreme temperatures-
Increase in observed intensity of tropical storms-
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Session Date
Lesson Topic
global warming continued
Lesson Outline
Discussion of statistics regarding global warming trends from 1900 to 2000 and from 1906 to 2006. Stats show that by pushing the readings up by 6 years, the Earth's warming went from an average of 0.6 degrees to 0.75 degrees centigrade.
Observations from the intergovernmental panel on climate control, the IPCC are as follows.
Of the last 12 years, 11 have been the warmest on record since 1850.
The warming trend of the last 50 years is nearly double that of the last 100 years. The rate of warming is increasing
The ocean's temperature has increased to at least a depth of 3,000 meters ( 9,800 ft.). Oceans absorb more than 80% of all heat added to the climate system.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
We will continue with the IPCC observations on Wednesday
Session Date
Lesson Topic
global warming coninued
Lesson Outline
Discuss global warming as a significant increase in the Earth's climatic temperature over a relatively short period of time, due to human activity.
A significant increase is 1 degree or more over a period of 1-2 hundred years.
Review and discuss the difference between weather and climate and introduce the term anomaly as an event that falls ouside of the usual statistical range.
Note that a change in climate may involve tens of thousands of years.
Modern climate change is based on records kept for about 150 years.
Charts showing average temperature increase, mean sea level change, and average snowfall over 150 years verifies that climate change has been occurring.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Ayden was on line. Charts and graphs were discussed by viewing on line.
Session Date
Lesson Topic
global warming conrt.
Lesson Outline
Continue reading and discussing the report on global warming.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
I put the minutes attended in as 60, however, there were a series of computer problems throughout the lesson. For about 5 minutes, the computer in the lab could not get on line. Eventually, I rebooted it, and Ayden was able to receive the call. He could not however answer it. After a few minutes he suddenly came on line, he does not know how. Barely started when the connection was lost. Messaging Ayden, he was able to answer, but said that it would not allow him to video and audio answer. I switched to another computer, same lack of results. Rebooted again with the same lack of response. Ayden switched his computer, could still not communicate. I switched to a third computer, same results.
Eventually, after about 50 minutes, we gave up. Neither of us know what was wrong.
Session Date
Lesson Topic
Global warming
Lesson Outline
Discussion of printed article dealing with global warming, is it real, what are its affects on the planet, how does it differ from weather and climate, what proof is their of its existence, and how can we begin to combat it.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
30
Lesson Comments
Ayden was stuck in traffic and came in 1/2 hour late. We were able to only read the introduction of the article and discuss some about weather and climate
Session Date
Lesson Topic
PFAS continued
Lesson Outline
Watch a news report dealing with PFAS compounds, the products, where they are located and the health risks associated with their use.
Dupont and teflon are singled out for their "inability" to remove these compounds from their product.
The accumulation within cells and tissue and the long term health affects were discussed.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Ayden was present in person today.
Session Date
Lesson Topic
PFAS compounds
Lesson Outline
Read from the Consumer Reports article on the hazards of polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are very tightly bound chemical compounds of carbon, fluorine, and oxygen.
They are found in non stick pans, waterproof gear, and grease resistant packaging for takeout food and regular food from markets.
The health hazards caused by the leaching of the compounds into the food, which includes immune system suppression, lower birth rate, and increased risk for cancer.
The dangers presented when cartons and wrappings were discarded into land fills, run off into water, and also incinerated with the release of particles into the atmosphere was discussed.
The comparison to Rachel Carson's warnings of 60 years ago was introduced, the only difference being her warnings involved pesticides and these new warnings involve "pesticide line" products.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
We will be working on Ayden researching these new environmental toxins, and presenting arguments for and against their banning.
Session Date
Lesson Topic
Climate factors,
Lesson Outline
Tie together the importance of the major factors in weather formation, latitude, temperature, wind, rainfall, and oceanic currents. A government video is specifically designed for this purpose. Discussion of the major factors as pointed out will follow the viewing.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
0
Lesson Comments
Ayden was online today, but there was a problem initially contacting him. The desktop in the lab was unable to get on line with him, no internet connection. Moved to the library, where eventually a connection was made. After repeated attempts, Ayden was reached by e mail. Repeated attempts at reaching him on line were unsuccessful.
Session Date
Lesson Topic
factors which influence climafe
Lesson Outline
Discuss the effect of latitude on climate.
Using a map of air current circulation discuss the movement of cold and warm air and its affect on wind production and rainfall.
The affect of subtropical gyres and associated ocean currents is used to explain the redistribution of warm and cool masses of water and the affect on climate.
The El Nino pattern is discussed and how it causes warm water eastward.
Finally, how topography influences the climate. MT. Kilimanjaro is used, along with pictures, to explain how height shows the effect of climate on temperature.
Session Minutes
60
Minutes Student Attended
60
Lesson Comments
Ayden was on line again today