Changing Planet: Black Carbon

• This video discusses the sources of black carbon and how it contributes to the warming of the atmosphere and respiratory health problems for humans.
• Students will learn how innovative solutions like distributing solar-powered lanterns and clean cooking stoves to people who rely on black carbon-emitting biomass fuels could help to eliminate the climate problems caused by black carbon particles in the atmosphere while improving the health of communities.

 Positives

• The video covers an important climate change issue that is not often presented.
• This video has some cool and interesting footage of machines engineered to collect data and provide solutions.
• The video provides enough information for students to see the connections between data, policy, solutions, and improving the health of communities.

Additional Prerequisites

• Teachers may want to provide some context for this video so that students understand why so many people around the world rely on biomass fuels that produce black carbon.

Differentiation

• Earth science classes could discuss how the ice cores provide scientists with information about the history of black carbon. Teachers could explain the concepts of stratification and superposition.
• Biology or health classes could study the health consequences of breathing black carbon from stoves or other sources.
• In social studies or geography classes, students could research the impacts of black carbon in different regions around the world and learn whether or not these impacts are occurring in the students' region.

• Other resources include this ClimateScience course on environmental equity and climate justice and this SubjectToClimate lesson on air quality and environmental justice.