Climate Change Basics
Understand the basics of climate change: Earth’s atmosphere traps some of the Sun's heat (the greenhouse effect), burning fossil fuels adds extra greenhouse gases (especially CO₂), this is making Earth gradually warmer, and this warming changes weather patterns, melts ice, and raises sea levels
Typical age: 9–11 years
“Can your child explain the greenhouse effect in simple terms and describe how burning oil, gas, and coal adds extra CO₂ to the air, making Earth warmer and changing weather patterns?”
0 / 3 mastered
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Needs first
- Weather vs ClimateREQUIRED
Climate change requires understanding what climate is
- The AtmosphereREQUIRED
Greenhouse effect requires understanding the atmosphere
- Oceans & Climate
Climate change understanding enriched by knowing ocean absorbs heat and CO2
- Climate Zones
Climate change impact clearer with climate zones context
- Natural resources
Climate change connects to curriculum energy/fuels and environmental impact
- Sun-Driven Weather Systems
Climate change understanding benefits from knowing Sun drives weather
Unlocks next
- Endangered & Extinct Species
Climate change is a major cause of species endangerment
- Climate Change at the Poles
General climate change understanding enriches polar-specific climate change topic (Weather 9-11 -> Polar 9-11)
- Rainforests & Global Climate
Understanding climate change basics enriches the rainforests-and-climate topic (Weather 9-11 -> Rainforests 9-11)
- Reading Ancient Climate RecordsREQUIRED
Climate science methodology depends on climate change basics
- AI and the Environment
Cross-domain: climate change awareness (Weather & Climate) enriches understanding of AI's environmental costs and benefits