WEBQUEST

Global Warming

Global Warming Webquest Summary Activity page

Group Activity Worksheet (PDF)

Summary Activity

After each member of the group has completed the individual worksheets, the group should prepare a report and/or a presentation answering the following questions:

1) Is the Earth’s climate warming? If so, what are the causes and how have human activities contributed to this warming? How confident are scientists about climate change? What kind of information is still needed to bolster understanding of global warming (e.g. environmental impacts, computer models, historical data, economic costs)?

2) What choices do humans have for responding to global climate change? Present the choices available at the personal, state, federal, and international levels. What are the pros and cons associated with these different choices? How will these choices affect the economy, public policy, our lifestyles, and the kinds of technologies used?

3) Make recommendations for the United Nations member countries detailing what you think their policies should be regarding scientific research, international treaties, funding new technologies and energy sources, federal legislation, environmental impacts, etc. How will countries from different parts of the world need to respond differently?

Each question should be answered in a one-page report (for a total of three pages). All members of the group must approve the report before it is turned in. To answer the questions, use the information gathered by each individual, and then move to references in the Teachers Resources section.

Conclusion
Congratulations! You have responded to an urgent need in the international community. Thank you for participating in the Koshland Science Museum’s Global Warming Webquest. Your work may help others to become more aware of the problems associated with global warming, as well as some of the potential solutions.