This interactive tool displays graphical data on greenhouse gas emissions by sector in the United States starting in 1990.
You can choose individual sectors, greenhouse gases, or categories within sectors to investigate the data further and the results are downloadable.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The graph is color-coded and customizable.
The chart below the graph provides specific data for each year.
Additional Prerequisites
To view specific years, teachers can manipulate the slider above the graph.
Teachers should familiarize themselves with the many options before using this tool in the classroom.
Differentiation
Math classes could use the data for word problems. Students could calculate the percentage difference between greenhouse gas emissions for different sectors or years.
Science classes could discuss the trends in gas emissions since 1990. Students could determine which sectors have lowered emissions and which sectors have increased emissions.
Other resources on this topic include this lesson on greenhouse gases, this interactive tool that predicts future climate conditions, and this video that shows which greenhouse gas is the worst.
Scientist Notes
This resource contains greenhouse emissions data sets from EPA which students can explore to gain insights on the recent trends on greenhouse gases emissions and sinks from selected economic sectors. Dataset used is accurate and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-1 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth's mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes.
HS-ESS3-1 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
HS-ESS3-2 Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.
