Unit 9: Global Change

Learning Objectives Essential Knowledge Questions

• What is the importance of the stratospheric
• Explain the importance of stratospheric ozone layer?
ozone to the life on Earth • Which chemicals deplete stratospheric
• Describe chemicals used to substitute for ozone? How?
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) • What does the reduction of stratospheric
ozone do to organisms on the ground?
• Identify the greenhouse gases • How can the problem of ozone depletion be
• Identify the sources and potency of the mitigated?
greenhouse gases • What are the greenhouse gases?
• Which greenhouse gases are most
• Identify the threats to human health and the abundant?
environment posed by an increase in • Which greenhouse gases are most potent?
greenhouse gases • What are the effects climate change will
have on the planet?
• Explain how changes in climate, both short- • How will weather and climate be affected by
and long-term impact ecosystems greenhouse gases?
• Explain the causes and effects of ocean • How will the oceans be affected by global
warming climate change?
• How will polar regions be affected
• Explain the causes and effects of ocean differently through global climate change?
acidification • Explain how climate change is a positive
• Explain the environmental problems feedback loop.
associated with invasive species and • What are the results of ocean warming?
strategies to control them • How does ocean acidification occur?
• What are the impacts of ocean acidification?
• Explain how species become endangered • Describe the effects an invasive species can
and strategies to combat the problem have on native species.
• What characteristics make a species likely to
• Explain how human activities affect be invasive? Endangered?
biodiversity and strategies to combat the • What is HIPPCO?
problem • Describe ways humans can mitigate the
problems of HIPPCO.
 Unit 9: Global Change
Key Points
• Big Idea 3 – Interactions between different species and the environment
• Why are laws created to protect endangered species?
• Big Idea 2 – Sustainability
• How can local human activities have a global impact?

Vocabulary
• Stratospheric Ozone • Positive feedback loop
• Chlorofluorocarbons • Ocean acidification
• Antarctic Spring • Calcium carbonate
• UV Rays • CITES Treaty
• Cataracts • Endangered Species Act
• Hydrofluorocarbons • Selective pressures
• Ozone-depleting • Wildlife corridors
chemicals
• Greenhouse gases • Habitat fragmentation
• Greenhouse effect • HIPPCO
• Global warming potential
• Permafrost
• Climate change
 Unit 9: Global Change
Diagrams