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Ready to Save The Planet?

It's Getting Hot in Here

DURATION

30-60 Minutes

WHERE

In the comfort and safety of your own home. 

WHEN

Throughout the year

WHOSE HELP IS REQUIRED

Adult

HOW IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Youth-led initiatives help make changes that are long-term and sustainable. You have the power to make a difference!

DESCRIPTION

Our mission is to empower communities to leap into the future of clean energy.

Learn how greenhouse gases and black carbon pollute our environment and contribute to global climate change.

Plan and investigate to show the patterns, causes, and effects of thermal energy properties.

ITEMS NEEDED

  • piece of white paper
  • five sheets of different colored construction paper
  • five clear cups
  • 1 tissue
  • notebook
  • drawing utensils
  • five ice cubes

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS


NEXT STEPS


WEBSITE


Sound like fun?VIEW INSTRUCTIONS▼ to get started.
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Introduction:

Climate change is a phenomenon that is affecting Earth and all its inhabitants. To better understand what is happening, read through this drawing activity and follow the steps carefully. You will need a blank piece of paper and a pencil to start.

  1. The Sun is a radiant source of energy that provides heat for our planet. 
    1. Draw a circle in the top left-hand corner and label it "Sun."
  2. Humans live on the planet Earth. 
    1. Draw a circle (about 3 inches in diameter) in the bottom right-hand corner and label it "Earth."
  3. Surrounding Earth is a layer of gases called the "atmosphere." The atmosphere traps natural gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor.
    1. Draw a layer over Earth and label it "atmosphere." 
  4. The atmosphere is like a blanket above Earth. It helps trap some of the Sun's incoming radiation to keep Earth warm and sustain life. 
    1. Draw four to five arrows from the Sun pointing down to Earth. 
  5. Some of the Sun's energy is absorbed, while the rest is bounced back into space (otherwise, the planet would overheat). 
    1. Draw three to four arrows starting from Earth pointing out into space. 
  6. Human activities that rely heavily on fossil fuels, such as transportation, manufacturing, and electrical generation, release large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. As greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increase, more heat from the Sun is trapped. 
    1. Shade in the atmosphere to show greenhouse gases trapped in the atmosphere.
  7. The pollution from these greenhouse gases may also fall back down to the earth as black carbon or tiny, dark pieces of dust that collect in the air and on the ground, which impact the ability of Earth's surface to reflect the warming rays from the Sun. 
    1. Shade in parts of Earth showing different pollutants falling and covering our earth's surface, causing even more heat absorption. 


Take a look at the finished drawing. If greenhouse gases and black carbon are absorbing more heat, what happens to the climate? Write a summary of what you think is occurring. Different factors affect Earth's temperatures, and t