Hugo Ahlenius, UNEP/GRID-Arendal
Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»
See how this Static Visualization supports the Next Generation Science Standards»
Middle School: 1 Disciplinary Core Idea, 1 Cross Cutting Concept
High School: 2 Disciplinary Core Ideas, 1 Cross Cutting Concept
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
- Educators can use this graphic as an opportunity to discuss why the melting of floating sea ice does not contribute to sea level rise.
- Suggest downloading the In Dead Water report http://www.grida.no/publications/rr/in2Ddead2Dwater/ to complement the use of the this graphic. Page 32 of the report provides additional background on the graphic, as well as other graphics to supplement not only sea level change but other topics relating to a unit on climate change issues.
- Be sure that the title and years are made clear to students.
About the Science
- This visualization from the IPCC Fourth Assessment shows the estimated contributions of the two main sources for sea-level rise: 1) thermal expansion of ocean waters as they warm and 2) increase in the ocean mass principally from land-based sources of ice – glaciers and ice caps and the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica. The estimated contributions are compared to observed sea level rise 1993-2003.
- Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
About the Pedagogy
- Resource provides a clear sense of the relative contributions to sea level rise and the comparison between estimated and observed sea level rise.
Next Generation Science Standards See how this Static Visualization supports:
Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1
MS-ESS3.D1:Human activities, such as the release of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, are major factors in the current rise in Earth’s mean surface temperature (global warming). Reducing the level of climate change and reducing human vulnerability to whatever climate changes do occur depend on the understanding of climate science, engineering capabilities, and other kinds of knowledge, such as understanding of human behavior and on applying that knowledge wisely in decisions and activities.
Disciplinary Core Ideas: 2
HS-ESS3.D2:Through computer simulations and other studies, important discoveries are still being made about how the ocean, the atmosphere, and the biosphere interact and are modified in response to human activities.