How Ancient Ice Proves Climate Change Is Real
Videos
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Physics, Earth and Space Sciences
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Be Smart
What it is
- This 12-minute video describes and shows how scientists analyze the gases trapped in ancient ice cores in order to learn about Earth's atmosphere in the past.
- Students will learn that scientists have concrete evidence, demonstrated by the abundance of specific carbon isotopes in the ice, that global warming is being caused by burning fossil fuels and other human activities.
Teaching tips
Prerequisites:
- Ensure that students are familiar with the terms atom, isotope, and neutron.
Classroom Implementation
- Use this video to introduce students to other uses of stable isotopes and radioactive isotopes, such as tracing molecules through food webs, medical testing, and tracing global cycles in the oceans and atmosphere.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
- English Language Arts:
- Students write persuasive essays on how people need to act swiftly in order to stop climate change. Students cite evidence from the video to prove that climate change is really happening.
Related Resources:
- Other resources on this topic include this lesson and activity on understanding the importance of isotopes, this activity on analyzing past climate conditions using a tree's rings, and this resource highlighting graduate students that study ice cores.
From the scientist review
This video underscores Earth's air temperature in relation to climate change. It shows past air temperature using ice core samples and measurements. It also explains the impact of human-induced CO2 in accelerating global warming. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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