Climate Feedback Loops

Positives

• The lesson includes a pop-up glossary to assist students in accessing definitions.

• Graphs and real-world illustrations are used to help students better understand the concept of a feedback loop.

• The lesson also includes math connections and provides students with opportunities to practice using graphs.

Additional Prerequisites

• Students would benefit from working through or referencing the previous lessons from this source.

• Students should be familiar with graphing and navigating simulations.

• Some of the data is not current. Examples include the following:
  • The Carbon Cycle learning tool uses data from 2007 and 2008.
  • Page 5/8 in Key Idea 4: Water Feedbacks features a graph with data that extends to the year 2010.
• This is part 7 of 9 in Explaining Climate Change, a series of lessons from The King's Centre for Visualization in Science. 

Differentiation

• This lesson is divided into five sections. Students could complete these on separate days or at their own pace.

• Students could complete the lesson in small groups or pairs.
• Teachers can use the Your Turn questions for class discussions to ensure that students understand the major concepts.
• This lesson can be used in conjunction with these videos on climate feedback loops.