• This article outlines the results of a study on the impact of aviation on climate change.
• Students will learn that carbon dioxide emissions, contrails, nitrogen oxide, water vapor, sulfate aerosol gases, soot, and other aerosols produced by the aviation industry contribute significantly to climate change.

Positives

•  This quick read provides students with an example of how fossil fuel-dependent industries contribute in multiple ways to climate change.
• A detailed infographic provides a good visual of how airplanes affect the environment.

Additional Prerequisites

•  Students should have basic knowledge of the causes of climate change.
  

Differentiation

• Before introducing this article, teachers could ask students to write a short paragraph about how aviation contributes to climate change. After reading the article, students could discuss what they learned with a partner or a small group.
• Students could read this article independently and then read portions of the study, which is linked in the article, together in small groups.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.