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Structured learning materials are not included. It will likely need to be woven into a structured lesson plan for contextual learning.
This is one in a series of similar videos on climate change by the narrator.
This video walks through a timeline of scientific experiments and discoveries beginning almost 200 years ago that presents human knowledge on the greenhouse effect and global warming.
The video begins with the discovery that Earth is only inhabitable because of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and goes on to discuss how humans have increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere through industrialization.
The video also explains how the observed warming is not in line with the historic patterns of cooling and heating that Earth has experienced in the past.
A "thickening blanket" analogy is used to explain how additional greenhouse gases are "thickening" the atmosphere. While this analogy works, the narrator's body language during this section could create a misconception that the additional gases are creating more layers or a larger blanket. It is important to note that the gases are increasing the concentration of gases but in the same space. In the blanket analogy, this would mean that more down is being stuffed into the same liner, and that the blanket is becoming denser, but not larger.
Comments from expert scientist: The video cites key people in the development of climate science and explains the physics clearly. Some data on the amount of recent warming has become out of date, but that doesn't affect the conclusions.
The video does an excellent job of explaining the history of science that has helped humans understand the climate, the greenhouse effect, and climate change while providing engaging visual support.
Instructors may want to include supporting questions to encourage critical thinking.
