Crisis Planet Earth

This episode of The New Explorers researches the ways in which scientists are working to combat the adverse effects of global warning. Global warming threatens our planet and science is trying to learn how to minimize the damage. With new methods and equipment, environmentalists are beginning to understand how we can save our planet from our worst enemies—ourselves.

Crisis Planet Earth would be useful for classes on Science, Ecology, and Technology. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• deforestation
• evaporation
• expedition
• impervious
• oasis
• phenomena
• pollution
• saga
• strenuous
• transpiration
• vantage
• virtually

1. Our planet is threatened by global warming. What exactly is global warming? How and why does it threaten the planet?

2. Scientists are measuring the earth’s temperature and how global warming is heating up the planet. How do they do this? What instruments do they use?

3. What is a thermal infrared scanner? How does it work?

4. Global warming is often explained by the “greenhouse effect.” What is the greenhouse effect?

5. Discuss how human beings alter their environment.

6. What is an urban heat island?

7. How can the planting of trees help reduce global warming?

8. What else can we do to protect our environment for ourselves and for future generations?

1. Create a poster that illustrates the effects of global warming.

2. Using the information from the program, draw a thermal map of your immediate area showing which areas you think would be hot and which would be cool.

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Air Dates

• December 27, 2004