Learning about the atmosphere, climate, and earth sciences is critical for students, yet these topics are often complex and challenging to teach. Below are links to five different earth science subject groups that relate to the Global Monitoring Division’s research and mission. Within each subject group educators can easily access background information about the topics, student handouts, and classroom activities that can be incorporated into lesson plans. Information and activities are geared toward grades 7-12. Teachers should feel free to modify the activities to meet the needs of their students.
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The Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility is a multi-laboratory, U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) scientific user facility, and a key contributor to national and international research efforts related to global climate change.
ARM data are currently collected from three atmospheric observatories—Southern Great Plains, North Slope of Alaska, and Eastern North Atlantic—which represent the broad range of climate conditions around the world, as well as from the three ARM mobile facilities and ARM aerial facilities.
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At CIRES, a partnership of NOAA and CU Boulder, hundreds of environmental scientists work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet.
Science in Service to Society
At CIRES, the Cooperative Institute for Research In Environmental Sciences, more than 800 environmental scientists work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet. CIRES is a partnership of NOAA and the University of Colorado Boulder, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth’s poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, and solid Earth sciences. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system.
Mission
To conduct innovative research that advances our understanding of the global, regional, and local environments and the human relationship with those environments, for the benefit of society.
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ESRL’s Global Monitoring Division conducts sustained observations and research related to global distributions, trends, sources and sinks of atmospheric constituents that are capable of forcing change in the climate of the Earth. This research will advance climate projections and provide scientific policy-relevant, decision support information to enhance society’s ability to plan and respond.
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Our stories explore cultural, social and environmental issues with a humanistic lens. Aligned to National and Common Core standards, our lesson plans, available in both English or Spanish, offer an interdisciplinary approach to learning and facilitates the development of active, critical thinking.
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Tara expeditions organizes voyages to study and understand the impact of climate change and the ecological crisis facing the world’s oceans.
Tara’s scientific expeditions study three main research themes: ocean and mankind, ocean and biodiversity, and ocean and climate. Learn more here.
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The Arctic region is changing rapidly, in ways that could dramatically affect people’s lives and ecosystems. Climate change is a major concern, but rapid economic development and social transformation could also make significant impacts.
Some changes may be gradual, but there may also be large and sudden shifts. For those charged with managing natural resources and public policy in the region, it is crucial to identify potential thresholds to prepare effectively for an uncertain future.
The Arctic Resilience Report is a science-based assessment that aims to better understand the integrated impacts of change in the Arctic. Its goals are to:
• Identify the potential for shocks and large shifts in ecosystems services that affect human well-being in the Arctic.
• Analyze how different drivers of change interact in ways that affect the ability of ecosystems and human populations to withstand shocks, adapt or transform.
• Evaluate strategies for governments and communities to adapt.
The Arctic Resilience Report is led by the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Stockholm Resilience Centre and engages experts from across the Arctic.
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Electric cars tend to produce less carbon pollution than gas-powered ones—but just how much less? Enter your ZIP code below to see how different types of vehicles stack up in your area. Entering a make, model, and year will narrow results to a specific EV model.
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Different fuels emit different amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) in relation to the energy they produce when burned. To analyze emissions across fuels, compare the amount of CO2 emitted per unit of energy output or heat content.
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The UHSLC serves multiple roles in support of real-time oceanographic operations as well as climate and oceanographic research. The UHSLC collaborates with agencies within host countries to install and maintain a global network of tide gauge stations that range in utility from tsunami warning to global sea level rise. The growing UHSLC network consists of more than 80 stations. The data are routinely processed, analyzed, and distributed at varying levels of temporal resolution and quality control that fill multiple end-user needs.
UHSLC datasets are used for assimilation into operational numerical models, the calibration of satellite altimeter data, the production of oceanographic products, and research on various time-scales from decadal climate fluctuations to short-term extreme events. UHSLC real-time data contribute to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and other operational warning agencies. Over the years the UHSLC has participated in national and international research programs including NORPAX, TOGA, WOCE, GODAE and CLIVAR.
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