Research Assignment:

Is Anthropogenic Climate Change and Global

Warming Really Occuring?
Introduction:
Have you ever been into a greenhouse on a spring day? If the sun is shining,
the temperature inside will be considerably higher than the outside because
the suns rays cannot escape through the glass. The earth is heated by the sun,
but it is protected by the shield of various gases called the atmosphere, among
them carbon dioxide. Carbon Dioxide will let heat in but it will not let heat out
again - so the earth is slowly heating up as mankind pumps more and more
Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere. Most scientists agree that global
warming is really happening. Its thought that by the end of the 21st century,
the world will be a much warmer place than it is now. What they cant agree
on is what causes global warming or what the effects are.
Here are some useful terms to define the people involved:
People who believe in Global Warming: Environmentalists, Greens, Ecologists,
Climate Scientists
People who do not believe in Global Warming: Climate Sceptics, Climate
Deniers. (Can be some scientists and politicians as well)
When studying Environmental Science the key word evaluate is
commonly used. Evaluation requires you to analyse and interpret key
view points of an argument and to use the evidence (qualitative and
quantitative) presented to form your ownopinion on an issue. After
completing research on evidence presented by climate believes and
climate sceptics, your task is to present the results of your research as an
annotated poster or a multimedia presentation.
A graphical representation has been provided to guide your research.
Your task is to create a report for the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and
Industrial Research Organisation) with an overview of climate change as well
as including your own personal opinion on climate change. You are to include
a graph or figure and use persuasive language that is targeted towards an
expert audience. Ensure you cite all resources you use that contain
information about climate change!

GRAPHICAL GUIDE (SIMPLIFIED LAYOUT):

Issue
A short opening statement about what is happening to our climate
what is the natural greenhouse effect (nge) and the enhanced
greenhouse effect (ege). Include some evidence to show that climate is
changing and to highlight the mechanism behind this change (e.g. a
graph, diagram).
What are greenhouse gases (which gases are involved in the nge & ege).

Arguments
Climate Scientists

Climate Sceptics

Summary of
arguments that
humans are the
cause of climate
change.
Data provided as
evidence.
Possible solutions to
prevent climate
change

Summary of
arguments that
global warming is a
natural process and
humans are not
responsible.
Data provided as
evidence.

Evaluation

After evalauating both the arguments, my opinion is that climate change

Because (include a graph and the use of persuasive language).

References
Use www.citethisforme.com

CLIMATE CHANGE RESEARCH TASK MARKING RUBRIC

SCIENCE
UNDERSTANDING
Ability to collect and
include information on
Greenhouse effect and
gases

MATHEMATICS
Information on climate
change showing some
recent facts and figures in
recent years.

ENGLISH/ WRITING SKILLS

Interpretation, analysis
and application of
information:
Representation of
research information

SCIENCE AS A HUMAN
ENDEAVOUR
Acknowledging Sources
Of Information:
Construction of a
reference list and ability
to acknowledge others
published work
www.citethisforme.com

Conclusion/Summary:
An in-depth
understanding showing
their own opinion about
the issue.

Criteria
Marks
Available
Marks
Allocated

HIGH

MEDIUM

LOW

NOT SHOWN

All required
information on
the greenhouse
effect and gases
are described in
great detail with
information for
and against
climate change.
Relevant facts and
figures (graphs)
are correctly
interpreted. At
least one figure is
included to
persuade the
reader.
Information
chosen has been
explained in
students own
words and
concisely to a very
high standard,
with the use of
persuasive
language.

All required
information on
the greenhouse
effect and gases
are adequately
described, but the
concepts are not
clearly linked.

An attempt has
been made to
give some
information on
the greenhouse
effect and
gaseous
emissions.

The greenhouse
effect and
emissions of
gases is not
explained.

Relevant facts or
figures have been
provided but are
not described. At
least one figure is
included to
persuade the
reader.
Information
chosen has been
explained in
students own
words and applied
in an appropriate
manner, however
the summary lacks
consistent
persuasion.

Relevant facts
and figures are
not explained or
not included.
There is no
persuasive fact or
figure.

Sources of
information
acknowledged in
the form of a
reference list.
Appropriate
reference details
have been
provided
(Website, Name,
Date accessed)
All conclusions
stating students
justified opinions
are meaningful
and have
relevance to the
world.

Sources of
information
acknowledged in
the form of a
reference list,
however some
reference
information is
missing.

An attempt has
been made to
give some
relevant facts
and figures.
There is no
persuasive fact
or figure.
Information
chosen has not
been explained
in students own
words, and was
not applied in
the most
appropriate
manner. There is
no persuasive
effect.
Reference list
incomplete.

Conclusions
stating students
justified opinions
are not
explained in a
logical manner.

No evidence of
the conclusions
made, or the
conclusions are
inappropriate.

Some relevant and

appropriate
conclusions
stating students
justified opinions
have been made.

The student has

consistently used
terms and / or
concepts that are
unclear or not
explained.

Reference list not

provided.

Science
Understanding

Mathematics

English /
Writing
Skills

Science as a
Human
Endeavour

Conclusion
and
Summary

30

15

15

15

25