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Is Climate Change Just a Lot of Hot Air?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEQghbA3pLM&feature=youtu.be

Henry Reich, MinuteEarth

This short video illustrates how warming ocean temperature is a major factor in climate change, particularly the increase in severity of extreme weather (notably storms and drought).

Video length: 1:40

Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»


Notes From Our Reviewers The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

Teaching Tips

  • Stop the video at the 1:40 mark to avoid the ads at the end.
  • Video's narration moves very quickly through concepts such heat capacity of the ocean, capacity of the atmosphere to absorb water vapor as temperature increases, and NASA visualizations of changes in ocean surface temperatures over time. Educator may want to show video several times and/or pause frequently to clarify and/or check for understanding.
  • Consider using this resource after some instruction in heat capacity vs temperature and the role large bodies of water have on weather systems and climate.

About the Content

  • Video gives a very clear and concise explanation of how just a few degrees rise in ocean temperature can lead to increased moisture in the atmosphere and heightened severity of extreme weather events.
  • Comments from expert scientist:
    Scientific strengths:
    Fantastic resource! Had to watch twice to fully grasp all the points but it's so quick and fun to watch that I didn't even mind it.
    - 1% extra energy absorbed from global temperature increase is in the atmosphere, the rest is in the ocean
    - Describes how heat storage in the ocean impacts the weather (a point often missed when describing climate change)
    - Explains that warmer water evaporates more and produces more water vapor (GHG)
    - High sea surface temperatures drive storms and floods (more heat --> more energy for storms)

About the Pedagogy

  • The cartoon format is engaging and easy to follow for students.
  • Video is a fast-moving animated overview of the important contribution of rising ocean temperature to global climate change.

Technical Details/Ease of Use

  • Technical quality excellent, even in full-screen mode.
Entered the Collection: June 2018 Last Reviewed: April 2017

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