Climate Change Activity for Earth Month

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Climate change is one of the most important issues of our time. You may have heard about climate change and the impacts it is having on the earth, but do you know what causes climate change? Watch the video below to learn a little bit more about the causes of climate change:

Now that we have watched that video we know that climate change is caused by greenhouse gases. These gases allow sunlight to travel from the sun, through the atmosphere, and to the surface of the earth. However, they prevent the heat from that sunlight to leave the atmosphere. The main greenhouse gases impacting our climate are carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and ozone. These gases work like a blanket. As you add more stuffing inside your blanket, gases, the harder it becomes for heat to escape.

Activity:
Let’s demonstrate how greenhouse gases work!

Materials:

Photo showing all the materials needed for the Climate change activity.
  1. Ice
  2. Plastic wrap
  3. Two jars with lids
  4. Water
  5. Thermometer

Instructions:

  • Pour two cups of water into each jar
  • Add the same amount of ice to each jar
  • Screw lids onto both jars. Wrap one jar with many layers of plastic.
  • Place both jars in sun or near a window for 2 or more hours
  • Measure temperature of both jars after a couple of hours in the sun
  1. Fill both of your glasses with about two cups of water
  2. Place the same amount of ice cubes in each glass
  3. Screw the lids back on your jars
  4. Wrap one of your jars with many layers of plastic wrap
  5. Place both jars in the sun or near a window for a couple hours
  6. Measure the temperature of each jar after a few hours in the sun
  7. Answer the following questions:
    1. Which jar is warmer?
    2. What does the plastic wrap represent?
    3. Why is one jar warmer?
    4. Optional: Read this article from NASA Climate Kids

This activity is included in EarthGen’s At-Home Certification Kit.

During the pandemic, EarthGen created a new environmental category: At–Home Certification. Educators and Green Team leaders can use the flexible At-Home Certification Kit to earn recognition for projects completed at home.

With step-by-step instructions for getting certified, this kit includes hands-on activities to deepen students’ understanding of the environmental impacts of their choices. Green Team leaders submit a report card to receive At-Home certification for their school.