Climate change
The graph on the left shows the mean surface temperature of the Earth over the past 150
years (prepared using historical weather data). The graph on the right shows atmospheric
carbon dioxide levels for the past 300 years (information obtained from air bubbles trapped
in polar ice).
1. How much did the global temperature increase between 1880 and 1980?
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Which of these statements is most accurate? Tick the correct box.
a. Global temperature increases at the same rate as the % CO2 in the atmosphere.
b. Temperature and CO2 increase consistently over time but not always at the same rate.
c. In the long-term, temperature and CO2 show comparable trends, though the average
temperature fluctuates from year to year.
3. People with opinions on man-made climate change often fall into three groups:
i. Advocates of man-made climate change believe global temperatures are rising due to
increases in atmospheric gases (e.g., CO2, methane) that are attributable to human activities.
ii. Climate change sceptics agree that CO2 levels and Earth’s temperature are both rising but they
are not convinced that one causes the other.
iii. Climate change deniers refuse to accept that global temperature is changing or is man-made.
Put an A, S or D in each box to show whether these statements are from advocates (A), sceptics (S)
or deniers (D) of man-made climate change?
a. There is not sufficient data to conclude that temperature or CO2 levels are increasing.
b. Increasing temperature and CO2 levels in the 1800s were due to the industrial revolution.
c. Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels will help to alleviate global warming.
Climate change
The graph on the left shows the mean surface temperature of the Earth over the past 150
years (prepared using historical weather data). The graph on the right shows atmospheric
carbon dioxide levels for the past 300 years (information obtained from air bubbles trapped
in polar ice).
1. How much did the global temperature increase between 1880 and 1980?
From 13.6°C to ~14.2°C = a rise of 0.8°C (accept answers in range 0.6–0.85°C)
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Which of these statements is most accurate? Tick the correct box.
a. Global temperature increases at the same rate as the % CO2 in the atmosphere.
b. Temperature and CO2 increase consistently over time but not always at the same rate.
c. In the long-term, temperature and CO2 show comparable trends, though the average
temperature fluctuates from year to year.
3. People with opinions on man-made climate change often fall into three groups:
i. Advocates of man-made climate change believe global temperatures are rising due to
increases in atmospheric gases (e.g., CO2, methane) that are attributable to human activities.
ii. Climate change sceptics agree that CO2 levels and Earth’s temperature are both rising but they
are not convinced that one causes the other.
iii. Climate change deniers refuse to accept that global temperature is changing or is man-made.
Put an A, S or D in each box to show whether these statements are from advocates (A), sceptics (S)
or deniers (D) of man-made climate change? D
a. There is not sufficient data to conclude that temperature or CO2 levels are increasing. A
b. Increasing temperature and CO2 levels in the 1800s were due to the industrial revolution. A
c. Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels will help to alleviate global warming. S
Climate change
The graph on the left shows the mean surface temperature of the Earth over the past 150
years (prepared using historical weather data). The graph on the right shows atmospheric
carbon dioxide levels for the past 300 years (information obtained from air bubbles trapped
in polar ice).
1. How much did the global temperature increase between 1880 and 1980?
From 13.6°C to ~14.2°C = a rise of 0.8°C (accept answers in range 0.6–0.85°C)
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Which of these statements is most accurate? Tick the correct box.
a. Global temperature increases at the same rate as the % CO2 in the atmosphere.
b. Temperature and CO2 increase consistently over time but not always at the same rate.
c. In the long-term, temperature and CO2 show comparable trends, though the average
temperature fluctuates from year to year.
3. People with opinions on man-made climate change often fall into three groups:
i. Advocates of man-made climate change believe global temperatures are rising due to
increases in atmospheric gases (e.g., CO2, methane) that are attributable to human activities.
ii. Climate change sceptics agree that CO2 levels and Earth’s temperature are both rising but they
are not convinced that one causes the other.
iii. Climate change deniers refuse to accept that global temperature is changing or is man-made.
Put an A, S or D in each box to show whether these statements are from advocates (A), sceptics (S)
or deniers (D) of man-made climate change? D
a. There is not sufficient data to conclude that temperature or CO2 levels are increasing. A
b. Increasing temperature and CO2 levels in the 1800s were due to the industrial revolution. A
c. Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels will help to alleviate global warming. S
