Students will be able to:

1. Explain the consequences of climate change based on evidence of observable changes in recent history and climate model predictions.

2. Describe recent trends in environmental conditions.

3. Describe potential climate change impacts for Michigan.

Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations

Grade 6-7 Science:

• Describe the origins of pollution in the atmosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere (car exhaust, industrial emissions, acid rain and natural sources) and how pollution impacts habitats, climatic change, threatens or endangers species. E.ES.07.42

HS Earth Science:

• Based on evidence of observable changes in recent history and climate change models, explain the consequences of warmer oceans and changing climatic zones. E5.4D

HS Biology:

• Examine the negative impact of human activities. B3.4C

• List the possible causes and consequences of global warming. B3.4e

Grade 6-7 Social Studies:

• Describe the environmental effects of human action on the atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere. 6-G5.1.1, 7-G5.1.1

• Describe the effects that a change in the physical environment could have on human activities and the choices people would have to make in adjusting to the change. 6-G5.2.1, 7-G5.2.1

Common Core Math Standards (Graphing)

• Recognize and represent proportional relationships between quantities 7.RP-2

• Graph proportional relationships, interpreting the unit rate as the slope of the graph. Compare two different proportional relationships represented in different ways. 8.EE-5

• Analyze and solve pairs of simultaneous linear equations 8.EE-8

Climate Literacy Principles

• #3. Life on earth depends on, is shaped by, and affects climate.

• #4. Climate varies over space and time through both natural and man-made processes.

• #6. Human activities are impacting the climate system.

• #7. Climate change will have consequences for the earth system and human lives.