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Evidence Links Human Activity to Global Warming | Decoding the Weather Machine
https://pbslearningmedia.org/resource/nvdtwm-sci-humanevidence/evidence-links-human-activity-to-global-warming-decoding-the-weather-machine/

PBS Learning Media

This video discusses the fossil fuel fingerprint in isotopic analysis of atmospheric carbon dioxide. It does an excellent job of presenting this topic, which is too often overlooked in other discussions of the evidence for anthropogenic global warming.

Video length is 3:18 minutes.

Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»


Grade Level

Online Readiness

Topics

Climate Literacy

This Video builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

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

  • Students would benefit from reading the background reading before watching the video.
  • Engagement/extension questions are listed, including how to encourage science practices by engaging in research as an extension activity.

About the Content

  • This robust yet brief video explains how scientists have found evidence that humans are responsible for raising temperatures due to burning fossil fuels.
  • The video is scientifically accurate and presents not only the science but also the people who are doing the scientific work. Specifically, we meet Ralph Keeling, the son of Dave Keeling, who started this work in the late 1950s.
  • The level of rigor is appropriate for a high school audience. Background reading is scientifically accurate and gives students more details on isotopic analysis.
  • Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.

About the Pedagogy

  • The video is accompanied by a teacher's guide with useful suggestions for extensions and further engagement, background reading that dives deeper into the subject, suggested discussion questions, and a Spanish-language video transcript.
  • The video explains complex scientific concepts in a clear way that is accessible to students, with engaging animations and footage of people collecting data.
  • The webpage has integrations with Google Classroom and an interactive lesson builder that teachers can customize for their classroom. Learning outcomes are described in the "About" section.

Technical Details/Ease of Use

  • Because this clip is taken from a longer video, it seems to start abruptly and introduces a few ideas that are out of context. Teachers should be prepared to answer questions about this.
Entered the Collection: March 2025 | Last Reviewed: January 2025

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