Keeping Notes
Set up a journal to take notes as you participate in this module. Your journal can be an online tool or offline notebook - whichever works for you and your learning style.
Coastal Consequences of Sea Level Rise
Big Idea
The present and future impacts of global climate change on human populations are unevenly distributed across the planet. As a consequence of a warming climate, sea levels are rising at a rate of more than 3 millimeters (mm) a year. Sea level rise will have increasingly serious consequences for human health and life quality, with coastal populations at risk for dislocation due to flooding.
Data Activity
Sea Level Interactives
Sea Level Viewer (click on image to play)
Summary
The ocean's surface is not level, and sea levels change in response to changes in chemistry and temperature. Sophisticated satellite measurements are required for scientists to document current sea level rise. This module explores the evidence for sea level rise related to global climate change and the consequences for humanity, especially coastal-dwelling populations.
Standards Addressed
- Climate Literacy: The Essential Principles of Climate Science
- A Framework for K-12 Science Education
- Common Core State Standards for Mathematical Practices
Objectives
In this module, you will:
- Explore how a warming climate contributes to sea level rise.
- Examine how satellites collect sea level data.
- Analyze interactive data to understand the potential consequences of climate change on sea level in different parts of the world.
Background Information
Global sea level rose about 17 centimeters in the last century. Over the past decade, sea levels have risen at twice the rate of the preceding century. Currently, the rate of rise is a little more than 3 millimeters a year. There are two main factors responsible for sea level rise, and both are related to our warming climate: the melting of land-based glaciers and ice sheets, and the thermal expansion of the upper ocean caused by warming surface waters.
NASA and PBS
This professional development experience was funded by NASA's Global Climate Change Education initiative. This initiative is designed to improve the quality of the nation's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and enhance students' and teachers' literacy about global climate and Earth system change from elementary grades to lifelong learners.
Online Professional
Development
Development
PBS TeacherLine, the premier provider of online professional development services for PreK-12 educators, has the goal of making professional development accessible, affordable and engaging for teachers. Our hope is that our courses can help inspire and guide STEM learning at every age and in every discipline.
"PBS TeacherLine not only offers me current, researched information, but the lessons are immediately usable, and transferable into my own classroom."
- Elementary School Teacher, Albuquerque, NM
For more, visit www.pbs.org/teacherline
What Does the Ocean Have to Do with the Weather Report?
Ignite curiosity in global climate using the NASA resource "Earth as a System" offered on PBS LearningMedia. Use this video to examine the movement of earth's global systems; discuss factors that might influence these systems - like El Nino; and consider how a change in one system might affect the others.
Dive deep into climate-related content on PBS LearningMedia - a free, web-based service for educators featuring dynamic multimedia resources from PBS, WGBH and other public media contributors. Visit pbslearningmedia.org
