Unit 4: Global Warming Project

Problem: Based on what you have learned and what you will learn in Unit 4, you will develop
an informed position on global warming.

Materials/Equipment: Unit 4 notes, SIRS: Pro Vs. Con, global warming data, An Inconvenient
Truth video guide

Procedure: You will write about your informed position on global warming. The project will
be computer-generated. The project will include an introduction that captivates
the reader and outlines the body of the project. The conclusion will summarize
what you learned in your Global Warming Project and how this information will
affect your life. You will internally cite the information you use in your project
turn in a works cited page for you project.

The body of the project will address the following seven key points:

1. Explain the chemistry behind greenhouse gases and global warming.

2. Have CO2 levels increased over the past few decades? (use details from the graph for
support)

3. Has the average temperature on Earth risen over the past few decades? (use details from
the graph for support)

4. Are increased CO2 levels related to increased average global temperatures? (use details
from the graph for support)

5. Summarize the support (pros) of global warming.

6. Summarize the criticism (cons) of global warming.

7. Describe your informed position on global warming.

Suggested Project Formats: Business letter to one your state senators or representatives, essay,
PowerPoint Presentation. The possibilities are endless, but just check with Mr. Balmer before
starting a project that is not in the list.
Name:
Global Warming Project Rubric
Calculations: Your grade for this 70-point assignment will be calculated using the following rubric. This assignment
will count as a test score. Work not meeting the minimum category requirements will receive a zero.
10 8 6 4
CO2 vs. Time Graph Graph possesses 5/5 Graph possesses 4/5 Graph possesses 3/5 Graph possesses 2/5
• Appropriate title of the following of the following of the following of the following
• Appropriate criteria. criteria. criteria. criteria.
labels (units) • Appropriate title • Appropriate title • Appropriate title • Appropriate title
• Appropriate y- • Appropriate labels • Appropriate labels • Appropriate labels • Appropriate labels
axis scale (units) (units) (units) (units)
• Appropriate x- • Appropriate y-axis • Appropriate y-axis • Appropriate y-axis • Appropriate y-axis
axis scale (at scale scale scale scale
least to 2050 for • Appropriate x-axis • Appropriate x-axis • Appropriate x-axis • Appropriate x-axis
extrapolation) scale (at least to scale (at least to scale (at least to scale (at least to
• Equation and R2 2050 for 2050 for 2050 for 2050 for
value on graph extrapolation) extrapolation) extrapolation) extrapolation)
for line of best fit • Equation and R2 • Equation and R2 • Equation and R2 • Equation and R2
value on graph for value on graph for value on graph for value on graph for
line of best fit line of best fit line of best fit line of best fit
Temperature vs. Graph possesses 5/5 Graph possesses 4/5 Graph possesses 3/5 Graph possesses 2/5
Time Graph of the following of the following of the following of the following
• Appropriate title criteria. criteria. criteria. criteria.
• Appropriate • Appropriate title • Appropriate title • Appropriate title • Appropriate title
labels (units) • Appropriate labels • Appropriate labels • Appropriate labels • Appropriate labels
• Appropriate y- (units) (units) (units) (units)
axis scale • Appropriate y-axis • Appropriate y-axis • Appropriate y-axis • Appropriate y-axis
• Appropriate x- scale scale scale scale
axis scale (at • Appropriate x-axis • Appropriate x-axis • Appropriate x-axis • Appropriate x-axis
least to 2050 for scale (at least to scale (at least to scale (at least to scale (at least to
extrapolation) 2050 for 2050 for 2050 for 2050 for
• Equation and R2 extrapolation) extrapolation) extrapolation) extrapolation)
value on graph • Equation and R2 • Equation and R2 • Equation and R2 • Equation and R2
for line of best fit value on graph for value on graph for value on graph for value on graph for
line of best fit line of best fit line of best fit line of best fit
Temperature vs. Graph possesses 5/5 Graph possesses 4/5 Graph possesses 3/5 Graph possesses 2/5
CO2 Graph of the following of the following of the following of the following
• Appropriate title criteria. criteria. criteria. criteria.
• Appropriate • Appropriate title • Appropriate title • Appropriate title • Appropriate title
labels (units) • Appropriate labels • Appropriate labels • Appropriate labels • Appropriate labels
• Appropriate y- (units) (units) (units) (units)
axis scale • Appropriate y-axis • Appropriate y-axis • Appropriate y-axis • Appropriate y-axis
• Appropriate x- scale scale scale scale
axis scale • Appropriate x-axis • Appropriate x-axis • Appropriate x-axis • Appropriate x-axis
• Equation and R2 scale scale scale scale
value on graph • Equation and R2 • Equation and R2 • Equation and R2 • Equation and R2
for line of best fit value on graph for value on graph for value on graph for value on graph for
line of best fit line of best fit line of best fit line of best fit
7 Key Points Project addresses 7/7 of Project addresses 6/7 of Project addresses 5/7 of Project addresses 4/7 of
the key points in detail the key points in detail the key points in detail the key points in detail
x 2 = 20pts with specific examples with specific examples with specific examples with specific examples
for support. for support. for support. for support.
Works Cited 4 sources have been 3 sources have been 2 sources have been 1 source has been
properly cited. properly cited. properly cited. properly cited.

Style, Formatting, The project looks The project is The project is basic The project is below
and Grammar professional. proficient with few with numerous errors. basic and is hard to
errors. read/follow.

_____/70 pts
 Average Yearly Temperature (ºC)
1951-1980 Baseline Average

-0.4
0.4
1.4

-0.6
-0.2
0
0.2
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.6
1870
1875
1880
R2 = 0.7346

1885
1890
y = 0.0056x - 10.841

1895
1900
1905
1910
1915
1920
1925
1930
1935
1940
1945
1950
1955
1960

Year
1965
1970
1975
1980
Average Yearly Temperature

1985
With a 1951-1980 Average Baseline

1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
2030
2035
2040
2045
2050
 Average Carbon Dioxide Levels (ppm)

300.00
310.00
320.00
330.00
340.00
350.00
360.00
370.00
380.00
390.00
400.00
Jan-55
Jan-56
Jan-57
Jan-58
R2 = 0.9763

Jan-59
Jan-60
Jan-61
y = 0.0038x + 227.73

Jan-62
Jan-63
Jan-64
Jan-65
Jan-66
Jan-67
Jan-68
Jan-69
Jan-70
Jan-71
Jan-72
Jan-73
Jan-74
Jan-75
Jan-76
Jan-77
Jan-78
Jan-79
Jan-80
Jan-81
Jan-82
Jan-83
Jan-84

Month-Year
Jan-85
Jan-86
Jan-87
Jan-88
Jan-89
Jan-90
Jan-91
Jan-92
Average Monthly Carbon Dioxide Levels 1958-2007

Jan-93
Jan-94
Jan-95
Jan-96
Jan-97
Jan-98
Jan-99
Jan-00
Jan-01
Jan-02
Jan-03
Jan-04
Jan-05
Jan-06
Jan-07
Jan-08
Jan-09
 y = 0.0092x + 0.0089 Global Temperature Vs. Global Carbon Dioxide Levels
R = 0.7691
2 Students use the R-squared value to discuss the correlation between carbon dioxide levels and
global temperature. I make it a point to explain that correlation is not cause and effect.
0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4
Global Temperature Levels (ºC)
1950-1980 Baseline Average

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
-20.00 -10.00 0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00
-0.1

-0.2

-0.3
Global Carbon Dioxide Levels (ppm)
1958-1980 Baseline Average