Lesson 3: Evidence and Consequences of Climate Change

What scientific evidence shows that Earth’s climate is changing?

How do rising temperatures, melting ice, and sea-level rise demonstrate climate change?

What patterns can be observed in climate data over time?

How do changes in climate affect ecosystems, weather patterns, and human societies?

How can data and models help us predict future climate impacts?

Climate change

Global warming

Ice core data

Sea-level rise

Temperature anomalies

Climate models

Extreme weather events

Feedback loops

• HS-ESS3-4 – Analyze data to understand the causes and consequences of climate change.
• HS-ESS3-5 – Use climate models to make predictions about future environmental conditions.

Students will practice interpreting graphs, tables, and other data representing temperature trends, ice melt, and sea-level rise.

Students will develop literacy and analysis skills by reading scientific articles, case studies, and reports about climate change evidence.

Students will construct explanations using evidence from real-world observations and models, building critical thinking skills for standardized assessments.

NGSS Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect

Patterns

Systems and System Models

Stability and Change

Students will examine scientific evidence for climate change, including temperature records, ice cores, sea-level trends, and extreme weather events. They will analyze data to identify patterns, recognize cause-and-effect relationships, and understand the consequences of a changing climate for ecosystems and human populations.

Hands-on or applied activities may include analyzing historical climate datasets, simulating sea-level rise, or comparing regional climate predictions using online models. Students will connect observed evidence to scientific explanations, reinforcing terminology such as climate models, feedback loops, and temperature anomalies.

Climate change impacts communities globally and locally, from increased flooding to agricultural challenges. Students can relate to these effects through local weather events, news stories, and observations of changing seasons. Understanding climate evidence empowers students to make informed decisions and participate in discussions about sustainability and environmental policy.

Students may confuse weather with climate, thinking short-term changes disprove long-term trends.

Students may believe climate change is not caused by humans.

Students may struggle to interpret complex datasets or graphs.

Students may not understand that consequences of climate change affect both natural ecosystems and human communities.

Tiered Assignments, Scaffolded Instruction

Graphic Organizers for analyzing climate data

Technology Integration (online climate models, interactive visualizations)

Clear instructions and rubrics for lab or data projects

Peer collaboration for discussion and explanation

Access to calculators, charts, and guided data interpretation worksheets

• Checkpoints during data analysis exercises

• Quizzes on key vocabulary and evidence types

• Unit Test

• Evaluation of climate model simulations or data interpretation assignments

• Constructed-response assignments using climate evidence to explain potential consequences

• Climate change slides and worksheets

• Historical temperature, ice core, and sea-level datasets

• Online climate model simulations

• Articles, videos, and case studies about regional and global climate impacts

• Materials for hands-on simulations (e.g., ice melt or sea-level rise demos)