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Carbon GNS

Created on November 12, 2024

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The Carbon Cycle and Climate Change

START

This content was based on the booklet developed for the Drive it Down project - GNS Science.The aim is to disseminate science and facilitate the learning of the Carbon Cycle and Climate Change. For a better visualization of the online content: use a desktop screen in full view mode Some pages present clickable items, and you can visualize them by clicking the icon on the top right corner of the page. Enjoy the journey!

intro

START

Climate Change

GreenhouseGases

Sinks and Sources

Urban Carbon Cycle

Global Carbon Cycle

content

Measuring CO2

Climate Action

Kuputaka

Additional Resources

Video

Activities

Authors

climate change

What is Climate Change?

How does climate change affect the planet?

Test your knowledge

What is Climate Change?

Climate change refers to long-term changes in the Earth's climate, especially the increase in the average temperature of the planet.

climate change

How does climate change affect the planet?

Climate change affects the planet in many ways. Due to changes in global temperature, extreme events are more likely to happen. Such events can also affect food and water supplies. People can get sick with more diseases and have heat-related illnesses.

climate change

Info

Test your knowledge

Click to play:

Climate ChangeQuiz

Climate Change Bonus Quiz

climate change

After the activities, click home to choose your next topic

greenhouse gases

What is the difference between air pollutants and greenhouse gases?

What is Carbon?

What are greenhouse gases?

What is Carbon Footprint?

Why is the Earth warming?

Test your knowledge

The atmosphere

The atmosphere is a jacket of gases that surround our planet. It is made of:Nitrogen (N2) - 78.1 % Oxygen (O2) - 20.9 % Argon (Ar) - 0.9 % Carbon dioxide (CO2) - 0.04 % And the rest is made of very small amounts of other gases including water vapor.

greenhouse gas

What are Greenhouse Gases?

Greenhouse gases (GHG) are gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat reflected from the Earth's surface. (like how heat is trapped in a greenhouse) We need some greenhouse gases to survive, without them the earth would be -19°C, which is about the same temperature as your freezer!

greenhouse gas

Why are they important?

Why is the Earth warming?

In recent years, the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased so much that more heat is being trapped, causing the increase in the average temperature of the Earth (planet becoming warmer) and global climate to change. The increase in the amount of greenhouse gases is caused by people and their actions.

greenhouse gas

Info

Why is the Earth warming?

There are a number of gases that contribute to global warming, some of these are:

greenhouse gas

methane carbon dioxide water vapour nitrous oxide fluorinated gases

click on the molecules for more info

What is the difference between air pollutants and greenhouse gases?

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which causes the planet to warm up over time.

greenhouse gas

Air pollutants can harm our health and the environment.

Info

What is the difference between air pollutants and greenhouse gases?

Air pollutants are tracked for their immediate harm to health, while greenhouse gases are measured to account for their potential to change the Earth’s climate over time. The way we look at air pollutants and greenhouse gases is different because they affect the Earth in different ways.

greenhouse gas

Info

What is Carbon?

Carbon is a chemical element and is found in many forms, as an energy source for building things: · Our bodies (18% of a person) – in our DNA, muscles, bones and more · Rocks, soils and the earth’s crust · Fuel (e.g. petrol and diesel) · Oceans · Animals · Plants · Buildings · The atmosphere

greenhouse gas

In the atmosphere, carbon can be found as: CO2 (carbon dioxide) CO (carbon monoxide) CH4 (methane)

What is CO2?

Carbon dioxide, also called CO2 (pronounced see-oh-two), is the most important of the greenhouse gases as it is emitted in large quantities and has a long-lasting influence. CO2 stays in the atmosphere for thousands of years (also known as ‘atmospheric lifetime’). This is one of the reasons why it builds up in the atmosphere and why we need to reduce emissions. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is part of the ‘carbon cycle’.

greenhouse gas

Info

Learn more about the carbon cycle in the Global and Urban Carbon Cycle modules.

Global Warming Potential

Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a way to compare how much heat a greenhouse gas can trap in the atmosphere over a certain period of time. It helps us compare the different greenhouse gases.

Info

greenhouse gas

Other greenhouse gases have shorter lifetimes or much smaller concentrations in the atmosphere. For example, 0.04% of the atmosphere is CO2, while methane accounts for 0.00018% and nitrous oxide, 0.00003%. Even such small quantities are enough to trap lots of heat.

What is Carbon Footprint?

A carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere because of human activities. It includes things like the energy we use, the food we eat, the products we buy, and the travel we do. The bigger the carbon footprint, the more it contributes to climate change.

greenhouse gas

Info

Test your knowledge

Click to play:

GHGQuiz

GHG Memory game

greenhouse gas

After the activities, click home to choose your next topic

carbon sinks and sources

Oceans

Forests

Fossil Fuel

Test your knowledge

Forests

CO2 is removed from the atmosphere by plants during photosynthesis, and returned to the atmosphere by respiration of plants, animals and soil microbes and fires.

sinks and sources

Info

Oceans

Info

sinks and sources

Oceans also exchange carbon with the atmosphere. CO2 from the air dissolves into the ocean’s surface, where it is used by plants and animals. However, too much carbon in the ocean can damage plants and animals as it makes the water more acidic.

Fossil Fuel

Fossil fuels, such as coal, gas and petrol, are made of mostly carbon and formed from the buried remains of ancient organisms (hence the name ‘fossil’ fuels!). These fossil fuels are burnt to produce electricity, power and heat.

sinks and sources

Info

Fossil Fuel

Fossil fuels are a large source of the CO2 in our atmosphere. They are burnt by humans, and unlike the ocean and forest sources, fossil fuels do not have a compensating sink.

sinks and sources

Info

Test your knowledge

Click to play:

Sinks and SourcesWord Search

Carbon Sinks and SourcesQuiz

sinks and sources

After the activities, click home to choose your next topic

global carbon cycle

The Carbon Cycle

Test your knowledge

The Global Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle contains sources and sinks of carbon.

A carbon sink is a system that takes in more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases.

global carbon cycle

A carbon source is a system that releases more carbon than it takes in.

These sources and sinks control the amount of carbon that is in the atmosphere.

The Global Carbon Cycle

Carbon cycle Hurihanga waro

Carbon Waro

Greenhouse gasesHaurehu kati mahana

AtmosphereKōhauhau

Carbon dioxide Hauhā

PhotosynthesisAhotakakame

VolcanoPuia

global carbon cycle

PlantTipu

RockToka

OceanMoana

Fossil fuelKora mātātoka

ForestNgahere

SoilOneone

Test your knowledge

Click to play:

Global Cycle Crossword

Link the Words

Global Cycle

global carbon cycle

After the activities, click home to choose your next topic

urban carbon cycle

What are Carbon Emissions?

Test your knowledge

Why study CO2 in cities?

Carbon Cycle in cities

What is Carbon Concentration?

Why study CO2 in cities?

Most of the world’s population live in cities. Cities are large contributors of CO2 fossil fuel emissions with 70% of emissions being from cities.

urban carbon cycle

Auckland is the largest city in Aotearoa New Zealand. In Auckland it is estimated that 44% of the total GHG emissions come from transport!

Why study CO2 in cities?

Typically, the concentrations of greenhouse gases are higher in cities than in rural areas, because there are significantly higher emissions in highly urbanised areas.

urban carbon cycle

Although, in rural areas where there is pasture, lots of methane is also emitted!

Info

The Carbon Cycle in Cities

Greenhouse gasesHaurehu kati mahana

Carbon dioxide Hauhā

AtmosphereKōhauhau

AviationRererangi

urban carbon cycle

IndustryAhumahi

PlantTipu

ShippingWakatauā

CommercialArumoni

ResidentialKāenga

TransportTūnuku

What are Carbon Emissions?

Carbon emissions and carbon concentration both talk about quantifying carbon, but they mean different things.

Carbon emissions are the amount of carbon (usually as carbon dioxide, or CO₂) that is being released into the air. It happens when we burn things like coal, oil, or gas, or through activities like cutting down trees. It measures how much carbon is released over time, like tons of CO₂ per year.

urban carbon cycle

Info

What is Carbon Concentration?

Carbon emissions and carbon concentration both talk about quantifying carbon, but they mean different things.

Carbon Concentration is the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) that is in the air at any given moment. It’s measured by how much CO₂ is in the air, often shown in parts per million (ppm). For example, how many CO₂ molecules are in the air compared to all the other air molecules.

urban carbon cycle

Info

Emission vs. Concentration

Carbon emissions are the amount of carbon we put into the air. Carbon concentration is the amount of carbon already in the air.

urban carbon cycle

Emissions are like pouring carbon into the atmosphere, and concentration is how much carbon is already there.

Test your knowledge

Click to play:

Urban Carbon CycleQuiz

Urban Cycle Memory game

urban carbon cycle

After the activities, click home to choose your next topic

measuring CO2

How to monitor CO2?

Atmospheric mixing

How to measure CO2?

Test your knowledge

Local CO2 measurements

Atmospheric mixing

Atmospheric conditions play a big role in how carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other gases spread (or disperse) through the air. Different weather patterns and factors in the atmosphere can either help the carbon spread widely or keep it trapped in one place.

measuring CO2

The wind plays a part in atmospheric mixing. When it isn’t very windy emissions will stay around the area where they were emitted, however strong winds will blow away emissions from the source.

Atmospheric mixing

The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is a thin layer of air (which can range from 100 to 3000 meters) closest to the ground.

measuring CO2

Greenhouse gases are mostly emitted close to the Earth’s surface, within the ‘atmospheric boundary layer’. The atmospheric boundary layer changes height throughout the day and year depending on temperature.

Atmospheric boundary layer

Click on the buttons to see what happens with the ABL throught day/night and summer/winter. Before selecting the next button, click again to turn off the current ABL.

NIGHT

WINTER

SUMMER

DAY

When the earth is cold the boundary layer is shallow, meaning that the emissions are going into a smaler volume. This makes the concentration of gases look higher than during the days and hours of warmer temperatures, when the ABL is deep.

During the night the boundary layer is shallow, meaning that the emissions are going into a smaler volume. If we release the same amounts of gases within a shallow ABL, they will be very dense in that air volume (very close to each other), so will have a higher concentration!

When the earth is warm the boundary layer is at its deepest, meaning that the emissions are going into a larger volume and are becoming more spread out. This makes the concentration of gases look smaller.

During the day the boundary layer is at its deepest, meaning that the emissions are going into a larger volume and are becoming more spread out. This makes the concentration of gases look smaller.

measuring CO2

How to measure CO2?

Measuring a gas in the air involves detecting the amount of a specific gas:

Concentration: number of molecules per unit of volume. Flux: number of molecules passing through a unit of area per unit time.

measuring CO2

Info

How to measure CO2?

CO2 is measured all around the world for climate change research. When we measure CO2 we are measuring the concentration, not the emissions. The concentration is the amount of CO2 in proportion of the total volume of the air. The emissions are how much CO2 is being put into the atmosphere. CO2 is measured in the unit ‘parts per million’ (ppm).

measuring CO2

Info

How to measure CO2?

If the concentration is 415 ppm, this means that for every million molecules of air, 415 of them are CO2 (415 / 1,000,000).

Because of the changing atmospheric mixing, figuring out emissions from measurements of CO2 concentration can be complicated. For example, emissions in the morning are into a smaller volume of air than emissions in the afternoon, as the boundary layer is lower in the sky, so the concentration of CO2 measured by the analyser will be larger.

measuring CO2

How to measure CO2?

Measuring gases in the air is done using several methods and tools that help scientists determine the concentration of different gases.

For example, scientists can measure atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂), by using:

measuring CO2

Remote sensing

Gas collection flasks

Gas analysers

Info

CO2 Modelling and Inventory

Auckland, NZ

Mahuika-Auckland is a detailed CO2 emissions dataset for Auckland, New Zealand.

measuring CO2

Info

It covers six main sources of emissions and provides more detail, helping guide emissions reduction and zero-carbon planning.

Scientific publication here

How to monitor CO2?

Long-term monitoring

At Baring Head, near Wellington, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) has been measuring CO2 since 1972.

measuring CO2

In the Northern Hemisphere there is Mauna Loa (Hawaii), since 1958.

Info

At both of these measurement sites we can see an increase in the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere over time.

Info

Local CO2 measurements

In Auckland, scientists from GNS Science and NIWA are measuring CO2 concentrations around the city as part of the CarbonWatch-NZ and CarbonWatch-Urban research projects to understand the carbon balance in the country and in the cities.

measuring CO2

CarbonWatch-NZ

CarbonWatch-Urban

Local CO2 measurements

Schools

Scientists from GNS used low-cost sensors installed at schools-gates to help with the visualization of atmospheric concentrations of CO2 during school drop-off hours.

measuring CO2

The initiative aims to support teaching of carbon cycle and climate change. The chart shows the process followed at the schools.

check the results next:

Local CO2 measurements

Schools

The project to support teaching of carbon cycle and climate change, resulted in effective initiatives from the students to reduce CO2 emissions.

Check the results by clicking the buttons:

Meadowbank School Pilot Project

measuring CO2

SCHOOL DAYS

HOLIDAYS

INITIATIVE DAYS

Info

Test your knowledge

Click to play:

Measuring CO2Quiz

Measuring CO2 Memory game

measuring CO2

After the activities, click home to choose your next topic

climate action

What can we do?

Why take action?

Test your knowledge

Sustainable Development Goals

How to reduce my carbon footprint?

Why take action?

Reducing carbon emissions is essential for protecting the environment, improving health, supporting a sustainable economy, and securing a better future for everyone.

climate action

Taking action to reduce carbon emissions is important because it helps protect the planet and our future.

Sustainable Development Goals

The global goals to achieve sustainable development, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are closely connected to carbon emissions because tackling emissions is essential for achieving many of these goals.

climate action

What can we do?

Everyone can have an impact in reducing CO2 emissions! For example, instead of driving to work or school, you could walk or scooter, whenever this is possible. Some other ways to reduce emissions are:

climate action

Reducing your impact begins with understanding it. Once you know where your emissions are coming from, you can find opportunities to cut down. You can calculate your carbon footprint online to see where most of your emissions are coming from!

How to reduce my carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases that are released into the air because of our activities.

Info

Even though we can’t control everything that affects the carbon footprint, there are many ways they can help reduce it and make the world a cleaner place. Here are some ideas:

climate action

By making small changes in everyday life, everyone can help reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier planet!

Test your knowledge

Click to play:

Discussion Cards:Professions

Discussion Cards:Environmental Issues

climate action

After the activities, click home to choose your next topic

kuputaka

Test your knowledge

Words in Te Reo Māori

This is not meant to be used as a dictionary, it only brings a few words in Te Reo Māori that were used along this material.

āhuarangi hurihuri

hauota

climate change

nitrogen

ahumahi

haurehu

gas

industry

kuputaka

ao koiora

haurehu kati mahana

biosphere

greenhouse gas

hāora

oxygen

hurihanga waro

carbon cycle

hau

kaipūtaiao

wind

scientist

hau takiwā

kōhauhau

air

atmosphere

hauhā

kora mātātoka

fossil fuel

carbon dioxide

Reference: Te Papakupu o Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, available online (https://paekupu.co.nz)

Words in Te Reo Māori

This is not meant to be used as a dictionary, it only brings a few words in Te Reo Māori that were used along this material.

mewaro

pūtake

methane

source

moana

putunga waro

ocean

carbon sink

kuputaka

ngahere

tāone nui

forest

city

oneone

tapuwae waro

carbon footprint

soil

paemahana

toka

temperature

rock

puia

tūnuku

volcano

transport

pūtaiao

waro

carbon

science

Reference: Te Papakupu o Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, available online (https://paekupu.co.nz)

Test your knowledge

Click to play:

KuputakaCrossword

kuputaka

After the activity, click home to choose your next topic

-Authors-Based on the booklet designed by Michelle Cosnett Written by Leigh Fleming, edited by Jocelyn Turnbull, Vanessa Monteiro, Erin Edmonds and Cybelli Barbosa Illustrations by Michelle Cosnett (Buravleva Stock, Envato), and by Cybelli Barbosa (Pexels, Canva, Genially) Graphics by Donna Hiraina and Vanessa Monteiro Layout and edition by Cybelli Barbosa -Image credits- CO2 record figure provided by NIWA Stock Imagery by Envato, Pexels, and iStock Getty images -Acknowledgements- Based on the booklet created as part of "Drive it down! Measuring and mitigating school-gate emissions". This project, including the educational resources, was possible thanks to:

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment - Unlocking Curious Minds Fund (2024)
Wellington Doctoral Scholarship from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington (Vanessa Monteiro)
University of California Berkeley (low-cost sensors)
MBIE - Endeavor Research Programme CarbonWatch-Urban (2023)
Royal Society Catalyst Fund (2021)

authors

CONTACTcwu@gns.cri.nz driveitdown@gns.cri.nz

Click on the topics below to know more:

Feedback School Journal

Trees, Seas and Soil – Kaitiakitanga

Drive it Down! teaching resources

greenhouse gas emissions

FORCE OF HABITS

Greenhouse gas concentrations

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions - covid19

Greenhouse gases and the atmosphere

Science Learning HubThe Carbon Cycle

The Ozone Hole

Schools strike for climate

Atmospheric boundary layer

resources

Global Action

Urban carbon dioxide INSIGHTS

Carbon Dioxide AND GLOBAL WARMING

Science Learning HubCarbon Dioxide

Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

OVERVIEW OF gREENHOUSE GASES

Active Travel Action GREATER WELLINGTON

Auckland GHG emissions

Climate ChangeOur Biggest Challenge

Human Contributions to Climate Change

Mātauranga Māori

Carbon Cycle video nature vs. human impacts

visualize one part per million

The ocean

House of Science kits

Welcome to the Activities menu:

GHGQuiz

GHG Memory game

Climate ChangeQuiz

Climate ChangeBonus Quiz

Carbon Sinks and SourcesQuiz

activities

Sinks and SourcesWord Search

Urban Cycle Memory game

Link the Words

Global Cycle

Urban Carbon CycleQuiz

Global Cycle Crossword

KuputakaCrossword

Measuring CO2 Memory game

Discussion Cards:Professions

Discussion Cards:Environmental Issues

Measuring CO2Quiz

Learn about GHG Emissions in Tāmaki Makaurau with Pua, the plant:

video

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ACTIVITIES MENU

Climate Change Quiz

Test your knowledge about Climate Change and how it can affect the planet.

Start

Question 1/4

select your answer and click send

Human activity is one of the causes of climate change. Extreme weather patterns and animal migration are some of the consequences of climate change.

Question 2/4

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Due to climate change, weather patterns might become more extreme and less predictable.

Question 3/4

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The increase in the average temperature can produce more heatwaves.

Question 4/4

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Climate change refers to long-term changes in the Earth's climate, especially the increase in the average temperature of the planet.

🎉

End of the quiz!

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Climate Change Bonus Quiz

ACTIVITIES MENU

The bonus quiz offers an exciting opportunity to explore additional aspects of Climate Change that weren't covered here. Use this as a chance to expand your knowledge by consulting other research sources to find the answers!

Let's go!

Question 1/6

select your answer and click send

Human activities, such as burning fossil fuel, have a major impact on climate change.

Question 2/6

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TRUE. The burning of fossil fuels, like coal and fuel, releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.

Question 3/6

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Carbon Dioxide (CO2). CO2 is a greenhouse gas, i.e., responsible for trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Question 4/6

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select all that apply

Increased global temperatures and rising sea levels are major consequences of global warming.

Question 5/6

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Climate change is caused by natural factors AND human activities.

Question 6/6

select your answer and click send

select all that apply

It is very important to study carbon, to know more about: the amount of carbon stored in forests, the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by human activities, and the presence of carbon molecules in the atmosphere.

Quiz finished!

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Greenhouse gases MEMORY GAME

Start

Memorise the positions

I am called WATER I am made of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxigen atom. Water vapor is a greenhouse gas!

I am called METHANE I am made of 1 carbon atom and 4 hydrogen atoms.

We are a group called FLUORINATED GASES We are powerful greenhouse gases, but usually not released as much as other GHG.

I am called CARBON DIOXIDE I am made of 1 carbon atom and 2 oxigen atoms.

I am called NITROUS OXIDE I am made of 2 nitrogen atoms and 1 oxigen atom.

I am called OZONE I am made of 3 oxigen atoms. I protect the Earth against UV radiation (in the stratosphere).

HH:MM:SS

Back

Where is the couple?

HH:MM:SS

Back

Where is the couple?

I am called CARBON DIOXIDE I am made of 1 carbon atom and 2 oxigen atoms.

HH:MM:SS

Back

Where is the couple?

I am called CARBON DIOXIDE I am made of 1 carbon atom and 2 oxigen atoms.

I am called NITROUS OXIDE I am made of 2 nitrogen atoms and 1 oxigen atom.

HH:MM:SS

Back

Where is the couple?

I am called CARBON DIOXIDE I am made of 1 carbon atom and 2 oxigen atoms.

I am called METHANE I am made of 1 carbon atom and 4 hydrogen atoms.

I am called NITROUS OXIDE I am made of 2 nitrogen atoms and 1 oxigen atom.

HH:MM:SS

Back

Where is the couple?

I am called WATER I am made of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxigen atom. Water vapor is a greenhouse gas!

I am called CARBON DIOXIDE I am made of 1 carbon atom and 2 oxigen atoms.

I am called METHANE I am made of 1 carbon atom and 4 hydrogen atoms.

I am called NITROUS OXIDE I am made of 2 nitrogen atoms and 1 oxigen atom.

HH:MM:SS

Back

Where is the couple?

I am called WATER I am made of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxigen atom. Water vapor is a greenhouse gas!

I am called CARBON DIOXIDE I am made of 1 carbon atom and 2 oxigen atoms.

I am called METHANE I am made of 1 carbon atom and 4 hydrogen atoms.

I am called NITROUS OXIDE I am made of 2 nitrogen atoms and 1 oxigen atom.

I am called OZONE I am made of 3 oxigen atoms. I protect the Earth against UV radiation (in the stratosphere).

HH:MM:SS

Back

Where is the couple?

FINISH

I am called WATER I am made of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxigen atom. Water vapor is a greenhouse gas!

I am called CARBON DIOXIDE I am made of 1 carbon atom and 2 oxigen atoms.

We are a group called FLUORINATED GASES We are powerful greenhouse gases, but usually not released as much as other greenhouse gases.

I am called METHANE I am made of 1 carbon atom and 4 hydrogen atoms.

I am called NITROUS OXIDE I am made of 2 nitrogen atoms and 1 oxigen atom.

I am called OZONE I am made of 3 oxigen atoms. I protect the Earth against UV radiation (in the stratosphere).

Congratulations!

Your time

HH:MM:SS

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ACTIVITIES MENU

Greenhouse Gases Quiz

Test your knowledge about Greenhouse Gases

Info

Let's go!

Question 1/8

select your answer and click send

Question 1/8

Which gases contribute to the greenhouse effect?

Methane, carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, fluorinated gases. Non-greenhouse gases do not have their molecular structure affected by infrared radiation.

select your answer and click send

Question 2/8

Greenhouse gases are invisible gases that act like a blanket in the sky. They keep Earth from cooling down.

True. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere.

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Question 3/8

Which one is NOT a greenhouse gas?

O2 (Oxygen) Oxygen molecule is not affected by infrared radiation, while carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor are.

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Question 4/8

Global warming potential (GWP) is a measure of how much a greenhouse gas can trap heat in the atmosphere.

True. Using the GWP, one can convert emissions of a gas to CO2-equivalent emissions.

select your answer and click send

Question 5/8

Which greenhouse gas has the longest lifetime (lives longer) in the atmosphere?

Carbon dioxide. CO2 has a lifetime of thousands of years, and this is one of the reasons why it builds up in the atmosphere and why we need to reduce its emissions. Other gases have shorter lifetimes (e.g., CH4, N2O, H2O) or have much smaller concentrations (e.g., F-gases, N2O).

select your answer and click send

Question 6/8

Which greenhouse gas (gases) has (have) the largest Global Warming Potential (traps more heat over time)?

Fluorinated gases. Fluorinated gases can have a warming potential up to 23500 times the warming potential of CO2, but they are less abundant in the atmosphere..

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Question 7/8

What does GWP stand for?

Global warming potential. GWP is a measure of how much a greenhouse gas can trap heat in the atmosphere over a period of time.

select your answer and click send

Question 8/8

We need greenhouse gases to survive but if we have too much it hurts our planet.

True. We need GHG's to keep our planet warm enough for us to survive, but the excess of GHG's can substantially increase the planet's temperature.

Congratulations!!Keep studying and good luck on your next quiz.

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Carbon QUIZ

ACTIVITIES MENU

Sinks and Sources

Info

start

QUESTION 1/7

True. Typically, urban areas have higher emissions of fossil fuels than rural areas. However, some rural areas can have significant methane emissions.

QUESTION 2/7

True. Plants absorb CO2 and release oxygen during photosynthesis. But, during day and night, theyalso respire, releasing CO2.

QUESTION 3/7

True. Oceans absorb about 25% of carbon dioxide emissions.

QUESTION 4/7

Acidic. CO2 is building up in the surface of oceans, and when oceans become more acidic it is dangerous to shellfish, corals and crustaceans.

QUESTION 5/7

True. Some examples are plants, the ocean, and the soil. Carbon sources are the opposite; they emit more than absorb carbon.

QUESTION 6/7

Cars and trucks. Volcanic eruptions, respiration of living organisms, and ocean's exchanges cannot be controlled by humans; however, cars and trucks' emissions can!

QUESTION 7/7

All options. Some of the consequences of high concentrations of GHGs are the warming of the seas, warming of the air, and the increasing chances of disasters.

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Link the words

Global Carbon Cycle

Start

Click on the button (pen) on the side to draw >

00:30

Link the words

Click to turn on and off the button with the pen design on the right side of the screen

Global Carbon Cycle

Link the correspondent words

The solution will appear in 30 seconds

Instructions

Atmosphere

Hurihanga waro

Carbon dioxide

Haurehu kati mahana

Greenhouse gas

Hauhā

Carbon cycle

Kōhauhau

Got it right?

YES

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Urban Carbon Cycle Quiz

Info

Start

select your answer and click send

Question 1/8

after answering correctly you'll go to the next question

False. Cities are large contributors of CO2 fossil fuel emissions, from several economic sectors such as transportation, commercial and residential, and electricity.

Question 2/8

after answering correctly you'll go to the next question

Walking to school. Burning fossil fuels emit CO2 (carbon dioxide), making rubbish and burps emit CH4 (methane). Did you know when we walk, we also produce CO2? By respiration!

Question 3/8

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Bicycle. Cycling requires our human energy, but all other options (car, bus, train) require use of electric energy (if they are electric vehicles), or fossil fuels.

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All options! Trees absorb carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Walking, cycling, riding scooters and using electric vehicles prevent emissions from fossil fuel vehicles.

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Transportation. In Auckland, it is estimated that 44% of total emissions are from the transport sector.

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True. It is estimated that 70% of fossil fuel greenhouse gas emissions are from cities.

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Carbon dioxide. Fossil fuel vehicles emit carbon dioxide as a result from the combustion (gasoline and diesel fuel, in internal combustion engines).

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Methane. When organic waste is sent to landfills it emits CH4.

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Carbon QUIZ

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Measuring

Measuring CO2

Info

start

QUESTION 1/6

select your answer and click send

Carbon dioxide. For example, 0.04% of the atmosphere is CO2, while methane accounts for 0.00018% and nitrous oxide, 0.00003%. Even such small quantities are enough to trap lots of heat.

QUESTION 2/6

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Parts per million. Atmospheric concentrations of GHGs are expressed as "moles of analysed gas divided by moles of total air". Carbon dioxide is in ppm, while methane and nitrous oxide are measured in ppb (parts per billion).

QUESTION 3/6

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419. According to Stats NZ, "In December 2022, carbon dioxide concentrations were 415 parts per million, up 6 percent since 2012".

QUESTION 4/6

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Atmospheric boundary layer. Also known by Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL).

QUESTION 5/6

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False. All of these variables will change how deep the atmospheric boundary layer is. High temperatures will generate a deep boundary layer. For example, temperature is typically higher in the afternoon, the ABL will be deeper than during the nighttime.

QUESTION 6/6

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True. Because most of air pollutants and greenhouse gases are emitted close to the Earth's surface, they are often trapped within this layer. However, they can also be emitted above the ABL (e.g., airplane emissions).

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URBAN CARBON CYCLE

MEMORY GAME

START

I AM READY

Memorise the positions

One source of greenhouse gases is

“EVs” stand for

We are called

Plants take in carbon dioxide through

Fossil fuel vehicles and landfill release greenhouse gases

EMISSIONS are

GREENHOUSE GASES, or GHGs. We absorb radiation and this helps to trap heat in the atmosphere.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES. They emit much fewer greenhouse gases than petrol vehicles.

A FOSSIL FUEL VEHICLE. It releases carbon dioxide and other air pollutants.

EMISSIONS, which contribute to global warming.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS during the day. Both during day and night they also respire, releasing carbon dioxide!

THINGS THAT GO INTO THE AIR, like smoke or gases, often coming from cars, factories, or other sources.

HH:MM:SS

Where is the pair?

We are called

HH:MM:SS

Where is the couple?

“EVs” stand for

We are called

GREENHOUSE GASES, or GHGs. We absorb radiation and this helps to trap heat in the atmosphere.

HH:MM:SS

Where is the couple?

One source of greenhouse gases is

“EVs” stand for

ELECTRIC VEHICLES. They emit much fewer greenhouse gases than petrol vehicles.

HH:MM:SS

Where is the couple?

One source of greenhouse gases is

Plants take in carbon dioxide through

A FOSSIL FUEL VEHICLE. It releases carbon dioxide and other air pollutants.

HH:MM:SS

Where is the couple?

Plants take in carbon dioxide through

Fossil fuel vehicles and landfill release greenhouse gases

PHOTOSYNTHESIS during the day. Both during day and night they also respire, releasing carbon dioxide!

HH:MM:SS

Where is the couple?

Fossil fuel vehicles and landfill release greenhouse gases

EMISSIONS are

EMISSIONS, which contribute to global warming.

HH:MM:SS

Where is the couple?

EMISSIONS are

FINISH

THINGS THAT GO INTO THE AIR, like smoke or gases, often coming from cars, factories, or other sources.

your time

HH:MM:SS

Congratulations!

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MEMORY GAME

Measuring CO2

START

I AM READY

Memorise the positions

Low temperatures can

Atmospheric CONCENTRATION is

When the wind is strong

When the wind is calm

High air temperature

Scientists use instruments to measure

molecules are spread out far from each other, temporarily lowering the atmospheric CONCENTRATION.

keep molecules far from each other, temporarily lowering the atmospheric CONCENTRATION.

keep molecules close to each other, temporarily increasing the atmospheric CONCENTRATION.

how CLOSE TOGETHER or how SPREAD OUT molecules (gases) are in the air.

molecules can keep close together, temporarily increasing the atmospheric CONCENTRATION

how much gases, like carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, are in the air. This is called the ATMOSPHERIC CONCENTRATION.

HH:MM:SS

Where is the pair?

When the wind is calm

HH:MM:SS

Where is the couple?

Low temperatures can

When the wind is calm

molecules can keep close together, temporarily increasing the atmospheric CONCENTRATION

HH:MM:SS

Where is the couple?

Low temperatures can

When the wind is strong

keep molecules close to each other, temporarily increasing the atmospheric CONCENTRATION.

HH:MM:SS

Where is the couple?

When the wind is strong

High air temperature

molecules are spread out far from each other, temporarily lowering the atmospheric CONCENTRATION.

HH:MM:SS

Where is the couple?

High air temperature

Scientists use instruments to measure

keep molecules far from each other, temporarily lowering the atmospheric CONCENTRATION.

HH:MM:SS

Where is the couple?

Atmospheric CONCENTRATION is

Scientists use instruments to measure

how much gases, like carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, are in the air. This is called the ATMOSPHERIC CONCENTRATION.

HH:MM:SS

Where is the couple?

Atmospheric CONCENTRATION is

FINISH

how CLOSE TOGETHER or how SPREAD OUT molecules (gases) are in the air.

your time

HH:MM:SS

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ACTIVITIES MENU

Sinks and Sources Word Search

Start

Find the words

Find the listed words in the grid by looking Horizontal, Vertical, Forward, and Backward:

air animals atmosphere carbon energy fires forest fossil fuel ocean photosynthesis plants power respiration sink source water

Use the drawing pen on the top right of the page or paper and pencil

Once you're done, click below for the answers:

Answer

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Global Carbon Cycle Crossword

ACTIVITIES MENU

Start

Crossword

Solve the crossword by placing the correspondent words:

Use the drawing pen on the top right of the page or paper and pencil

Once you're done, click for the answers:

Answer

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Kuputaka Crossword

Start

Crossword

Solve the crossword by placing the correspondent Māori words:

1 Greenhouse gas 2 Carbon 3 Climate Change 4 Forest 5 Carbon Cycle 6 Fossil Fuel 7 Carbon dioxide 8 Ocean 9 Atmosphere 10 Gas

Use the drawing pen on the top right of the page or paper and pencil

Take your time to solve the crossword. Once you're done, click for the answers:

Answer

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Climate Action

ACTIVITIES MENU

DISCUSSION CARDS:Enviromental Issues

START

Discussion Cards

Goal

Instructions

Raise awareness and discussion about the complexity of climate change issues, some solutions and the connections with our places and professions. Cards are intended to be used as an "open-safe space" for ākonga to propose different ideas, fostering a relationship with places/habitats, issues, and exploring solutions.

Different cards will be presented: Issue, place/habitat, solution.

For each Enviromental issue, a place/habitat card and a solution card should be combined.

Look for alike words to help matching issues with solutions.

During the discussion, other solutions that are not included in the cards can be proposed to the issue.

Ākonga might find there may be overlaps i.e. there is more than one solution to an issue. This is expected.

It is intended for them to gain a broader understanding about the complexity of environmental problems and how everything is part of interrelated systems and communities.

The glossary should be made available during the activity (scientific literacy development).

Info

Discussion Cards

On the next pages you will find ISSUE cards.And the goal is to match PLACES/HABITATS cards and SOLUTION cards with the presented ISSUE card. The GLOSSARY information will be available for support.

Discussion Cards

Choose the card or click next to pass by all cards in the same order they are presented here:

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE (click to zoom in) and move a PLACE/HABITAT card and a SOLUTION card that represents the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

PLACE/HABITAT

ISSUE

SOLUTION

Move a PLACE/HABITAT card here

Move a SOLUTION card here

Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

RETURN TO CARDS MENU

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE (click to zoom in) and move a PLACE/HABITAT card and a SOLUTION card that represents the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

PLACE/HABITAT

SOLUTION

ISSUE

Move a PLACE/HABITAT card here

Move a SOLUTION card here

Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

RETURN TO CARDS MENU

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE (click to zoom in) and move a PLACE/HABITAT card and a SOLUTION card that represents the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

PLACE/HABITAT

SOLUTION

ISSUE

Move a PLACE/HABITAT card here

Move a SOLUTION card here

Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

RETURN TO CARDS MENU

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE (click to zoom in) and move a PLACE/HABITAT card and a SOLUTION card that represents the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

PLACE/HABITAT

SOLUTION

ISSUE

Move a PLACE/HABITAT card here

Move a SOLUTION card here

Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

RETURN TO CARDS MENU

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE (click to zoom in) and move a PLACE/HABITAT card and a SOLUTION card that represents the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

PLACE/HABITAT

SOLUTION

ISSUE

Move a PLACE/HABITAT card here

Move a SOLUTION card here

Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

RETURN TO CARDS MENU

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE (click to zoom in) and move a PLACE/HABITAT card and a SOLUTION card that represents the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

PLACE/HABITAT

SOLUTION

ISSUE

Move a PLACE/HABITAT card here

Move a SOLUTION card here

Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

RETURN TO CARDS MENU

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE (click to zoom in) and move a PLACE/HABITAT card and a SOLUTION card that represents the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

PLACE/HABITAT

SOLUTION

ISSUE

Move a PLACE/HABITAT card here

Move a SOLUTION card here

Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

RETURN TO CARDS MENU

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE (click to zoom in) and move a PLACE/HABITAT card and a SOLUTION card that represents the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

PLACE/HABITAT

SOLUTION

ISSUE

Move a PLACE/HABITAT card here

Move a SOLUTION card here

Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

RETURN TO CARDS MENU

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE (click to zoom in) and move a PLACE/HABITAT card and a SOLUTION card that represents the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

PLACE/HABITAT

SOLUTION

ISSUE

Move a PLACE/HABITAT card here

Move a SOLUTION card here

Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

RETURN TO CARDS MENU

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE (click to zoom in) and move a PLACE/HABITAT card and a SOLUTION card that represents the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

PLACE/HABITAT

SOLUTION

ISSUE

Move a PLACE/HABITAT card here

Move a SOLUTION card here

Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

RETURN TO CARDS MENU

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE (click to zoom in) and move a PLACE/HABITAT card and a SOLUTION card that represents the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

PLACE/HABITAT

SOLUTION

ISSUE

Move a PLACE/HABITAT card here

Move a SOLUTION card here

Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

RETURN TO CARDS MENU

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE (click to zoom in) and move a PLACE/HABITAT card and a SOLUTION card that represents the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

PLACE/HABITAT

SOLUTION

ISSUE

Move a PLACE/HABITAT card here

Move a SOLUTION card here

Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

RETURN TO CARDS MENU

Congratulations!

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Climate Action

ACTIVITIES MENU

DISCUSSION CARDS:Professions

START

Discussion Cards

Goal

Instructions

Ideally played after a previous contact with the Discussion Cards: Environmental Issues

Different cards will be presented: Issue, place/habitat, solution.

For each pair of Enviromental Issue and Solution, one or more Profession card(s) should be combined.

Check the profession description to help matching with issues and solutions.

During the discussion, other options that are not included in the cards can be proposed to the issue.

Ākonga might find there may be overlaps i.e. there is more than one profession to an issue. This is expected.

It is intended for them to gain a broader understanding about the complexity of environmental issues and related professions, and how everything is part of interrelated systems and communities.

Info

Discussion Cards

On the next pages you will find ISSUE cards and SOLUTION cards.And the goal is to match PROFESSION cards with the presented ISSUE/SOLUTION cards. The GLOSSARY information will be available for support.

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE and SOLUTION presented (click to zoom in) and move a PROFESSION card that provides the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

PROFESSION

SOLUTION

ISSUE

Move a PROFESSION card here

PROFESSION cards: Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE and SOLUTION presented (click to zoom in) and move a PROFESSION card that provides the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

SOLUTION

ISSUE

PROFESSION

Move a PROFESSION card here

PROFESSION cards: Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE and SOLUTION presented (click to zoom in) and move a PROFESSION card that provides the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

PLACE/HABITAT

SOLUTION

ISSUE

PROFESSION

Move a PLACE/HABITAT card here

Move a PROFESSION card here

PROFESSION cards: Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE and SOLUTION presented (click to zoom in) and move a PROFESSION card that provides the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

SOLUTION

ISSUE

PROFESSION

Move a PROFESSION card here

PROFESSION cards: Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE and SOLUTION presented (click to zoom in) and move a PROFESSION card that provides the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

SOLUTION

PROFESSION

ISSUE

Move a PROFESSION card here

PROFESSION cards: Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE and SOLUTION presented (click to zoom in) and move a PROFESSION card that provides the best match:

ISSUE

Best correspondent cards:

SOLUTION

PROFESSION

Move a PROFESSION card here

PROFESSION cards: Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE and SOLUTION presented (click to zoom in) and move a PROFESSION card that provides the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

SOLUTION

PROFESSION

ISSUE

Move a PROFESSION card here

PROFESSION cards: Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE and SOLUTION presented (click to zoom in) and move a PROFESSION card that provides the best match:

ISSUE

Best correspondent cards:

SOLUTION

PROFESSION

Move a PROFESSION card here

PROFESSION cards: Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE and SOLUTION presented (click to zoom in) and move a PROFESSION card that provides the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

SOLUTION

PROFESSION

ISSUE

Move a PROFESSION card here

PROFESSION cards: Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE and SOLUTION presented (click to zoom in) and move a PROFESSION card that provides the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

SOLUTION

PROFESSION

ISSUE

Move a PROFESSION card here

PROFESSION cards: Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE and SOLUTION presented (click to zoom in) and move a PROFESSION card that provides the best match:

ISSUE

Best correspondent cards:

SOLUTION

PROFESSION

Move a PROFESSION card here

PROFESSION cards: Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

Combine the cards

Evaluate the ISSUE and SOLUTION presented (click to zoom in) and move a PROFESSION card that provides the best match:

Best correspondent cards:

ISSUE

SOLUTION

PROFESSION

Move a PROFESSION card here

PROFESSION cards: Click to zoom in, select the best match, click and drag to move above:

Congratulations!

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CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Making adjustments to how we live to better deal with the changes in weather and climate.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The support system for a city or town, including things like roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems that helps everything work smoothly.

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Tools or ideas that people create to solve problems or make life better in new and exciting ways.

SEQUESTER(ING) CARBON

Finding clever ways to trap and store carbon dioxide to help the Earth stay healthy. Examples: plants sequester (absorb and store) carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

EARTH SYSTEM DATA

Information that helps us understand and take care of our planet better, for example: information collected from satellites, weather stations, and sensors, like temperature, rainfall, and changes in the environment including Mātauranga Māori.

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Tools or ideas that people create to solve problems or make life better in new and exciting ways.

SEQUESTER(ING) CARBON

Finding clever ways to trap and store carbon dioxide to help the Earth stay healthy. Examples: plants sequester (absorb and store) carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Oh no!

Retry

EARTH SYSTEM DATA

ACIDIFICATION

When the water becomes more acidic. In oceans, CO2 absorption increases acidification, harming sea creatures like corals and shells.

CO2 is also released from the ocean’s surface.

Methane is another very important greenhouse gas. It only makes up 0.00018% of the atmosphere but it is a very strong greenhouse gas. Methane is produced naturally by wetlands and by humans from landfills, agriculture, and fossil fuels. The largest sink for methane is reaction with other gases in the atmosphere.

We measure greenhouse gases by counting how much of these gases are in the air, and assess how much heat they can hold and what their long-term effect on the climate is.

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ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

FOSTER

To help something grow, like taking care of plants or animals to make them healthy and strong.

ACIDIFICATION

When the water becomes more acidic. In oceans, CO2 absorption increases acidification, harming sea creatures like corals and shells.

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

EQUITABLE

Equitable means being fair and giving everyone an equal chance or opportunity. Equity recognizes people and places have different needs and resources to enable them to have the same opportunities on a level platform. It’s like giving people the right shoes for their size feet, instead of the same size for everyone.

All discussion cards activities are also available in a pdf format (printable).In case this is easier to facilitate the discussion, check the link below, with instructions and all cards:

Download

GLACIER

A giant thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time. Examples: Fox Glacier in Westland

COASTAL RESILIENCE

Making sure our shores are strong and prepared for challenges like storms and rising sea levels. Examples: Seawalls and groynes

Oh no!

Retry

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

Some other small natural sources of CO2 into the atmosphere are volcanoes and weathering of rocks.

GLACIER

A giant thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time. Examples: Fox Glacier in Westland

COASTAL RESILIENCE

Making sure our shores are strong and prepared for challenges like storms and rising sea levels. Examples: Seawalls and groynes

Oh no!

Retry

Oh no!

Retry

Climate change is also causing the ocean to get warmer meaning it can store less CO2.

Try again!

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

FOSTER

To help something grow, like taking care of plants or animals to make them healthy and strong.

ACIDIFICATION

When the water becomes more acidic. In oceans, CO2 absorption increases acidification, harming sea creatures like corals and shells.

GLACIER

A giant thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time. Examples: Fox Glacier in Westland

COASTAL RESILIENCE

Making sure our shores are strong and prepared for challenges like storms and rising sea levels. Examples: Seawalls and groynes

The longest running CO2 record in the world began in 1958. It was started by Charles Keeling of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

EL NIÑO-SOUTHERN OSCILLATION (ENSO)

A climate phenomenon characterized by the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean equatorial zone, and the west coast of North and South America, influencing global weather patterns.

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

FOSTER

To help something grow, like taking care of plants or animals to make them healthy and strong.

ACIDIFICATION

When the water becomes more acidic. In oceans, CO2 absorption increases acidification, harming sea creatures like corals and shells.

Try again!

EARTH SYSTEM DATA

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Tools or ideas that people create to solve problems or make life better in new and exciting ways.

SEQUESTER(ING) CARBON

Finding clever ways to trap and store carbon dioxide to help the Earth stay healthy. Examples: plants sequester (absorb and store) carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

GLACIER

A giant thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time. Examples: Fox Glacier in Westland

COASTAL RESILIENCE

Making sure our shores are strong and prepared for challenges like storms and rising sea levels. Examples: Seawalls and groynes

Oh no!

Retry

Oh no!

Retry

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent and long-lived greenhouse gas. In New Zealand, most nitrous oxide is produced by micro-organisms acting on nitrogen introduced to the soil via livestock urine or synthetic fertilisers.

https://www.nzagrc.org.nz/domestic/nitrous-oxide-research-programme/the-science-of-nitrous-oxide/

EARTH SYSTEM DATA

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Tools or ideas that people create to solve problems or make life better in new and exciting ways.

SEQUESTER(ING) CARBON

Finding clever ways to trap and store carbon dioxide to help the Earth stay healthy. Examples: plants sequester (absorb and store) carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Oh no!

Retry

Download here

Reducing carbon footprint means making choices that are less harmful for the planet.

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CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Making adjustments to how we live to better deal with the changes in weather and climate.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The support system for a city or town, including things like roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems that helps everything work smoothly.

POWERFUL

In the context of greenhouse gases, means that methane (CH4) has a stronger effect on the environment compared to carbon dioxide (CO2).

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Tools or ideas that people create to solve problems or make life better in new and exciting ways.

SEQUESTER(ING) CARBON

Finding clever ways to trap and store carbon dioxide to help the Earth stay healthy. Examples: plants sequester (absorb and store) carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

Try again!

EL NIÑO-SOUTHERN OSCILLATION (ENSO)

Got it right?

YES

We measure air pollutants based on how much of these harmful substances are in the air and how they affect us in the short term, like causing breathing problems or making the air look dirty.

The questions presented in this quiz are also part of a Kahoot quiz available online. Access to online quiz (Kahoot) using the link: https://tinyurl.com/CarbonCycleUCM • Open your Kahoot! and duplicate the "Carbon cycle – UCM: Drive it down!" Kahoot!. • Feel free to adapt questions as it suits. • Remember: Kahoot! account is free for teachers and students!

kahoot link

Water vapor is another greenhouse gas and plays a key role in climate feedbacks because of its heat-trapping ability.

https://www.epa.gov/climatechange-science/basics-climate-change

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Got it right?

YES

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GLACIER

A giant thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time. Examples: Fox Glacier in Westland

COASTAL RESILIENCE

Making sure our shores are strong and prepared for challenges like storms and rising sea levels. Examples: Seawalls and groynes

Oh no!

Retry

Download here

Try again!

PPM stands for "parts per million", and it's a unit used to measure very small concentrations of something in a solution or mixture, such as gases in the air.

DEFORESTATION

Cutting down a lot of trees in a forest (usually for farming in Aotearoa).

BIODIVERSITY

Variety of life on Earth, encompassing the diversity of species, ecosystems, and genetic variations within and among them. Examples: animals, plants, insects, sea life and humans.

Carbon emissions are what cause more carbon to build up in the atmosphere, which leads to global warming and climate change.

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Back

Try again!

Oh no!

Retry

Try again!

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

EARTH SYSTEM DATA

GLACIER

A giant thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time. Examples: Fox Glacier in Westland

COASTAL RESILIENCE

Making sure our shores are strong and prepared for challenges like storms and rising sea levels. Examples: Seawalls and groynes

DEFORESTATION

Cutting down a lot of trees in a forest (usually for farming in Aotearoa).

BIODIVERSITY

Variety of life on Earth, encompassing the diversity of species, ecosystems, and genetic variations within and among them. Examples: animals, plants, insects, sea life and humans.

EARTH SYSTEM DATA

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

FOSTER

To help something grow, like taking care of plants or animals to make them healthy and strong.

ACIDIFICATION

When the water becomes more acidic. In oceans, CO2 absorption increases acidification, harming sea creatures like corals and shells.

People are adding carbon into the atmosphere faster than it can be removed.

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ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The support system for a city or town, including things like roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems that helps everything work smoothly.

Try again!

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

FOSTER

To help something grow, like taking care of plants or animals to make them healthy and strong.

ACIDIFICATION

When the water becomes more acidic. In oceans, CO2 absorption increases acidification, harming sea creatures like corals and shells.

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

FOSTER

To help something grow, like taking care of plants or animals to make them healthy and strong.

ACIDIFICATION

When the water becomes more acidic. In oceans, CO2 absorption increases acidification, harming sea creatures like corals and shells.

Try again!

EQUITABLE

Different greenhouse gases (GHGs) are measured in CO2e: equivalent amount of CO2 calculated on the basis of the global warming potential index (GWP).

Forests and soils have a role in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.

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ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

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Retry

EQUITABLE

EARTH SYSTEM DATA

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

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Retry

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

FOSTER

To help something grow, like taking care of plants or animals to make them healthy and strong.

ACIDIFICATION

When the water becomes more acidic. In oceans, CO2 absorption increases acidification, harming sea creatures like corals and shells.

Download here

For more information about the pilot project, check the website:

Drive it down! Measuring and mitigating school-gate transport emissions

EARTH SYSTEM DATA

Human activities, like burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas), deforestation, and industrial processes, release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (blue line) has increased along with human emissions (gray line) since the start of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. NOAA Climate.gov graph, adapted from original by Dr. Howard Diamond (NOAA ARL). Atmospheric CO2 data from NOAA and ETHZ. CO2 emissions data from Our World in Data and the Global Carbon Project.

Reference

CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Making adjustments to how we live to better deal with the changes in weather and climate.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The support system for a city or town, including things like roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems that helps everything work smoothly.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The support system for a city or town, including things like roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems that helps everything work smoothly.

CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Making adjustments to how we live to better deal with the changes in weather and climate.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The support system for a city or town, including things like roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems that helps everything work smoothly.

CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Making adjustments to how we live to better deal with the changes in weather and climate.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The support system for a city or town, including things like roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems that helps everything work smoothly.

Oh no!

Retry

EARTH SYSTEM DATA

EQUITABLE

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Tools or ideas that people create to solve problems or make life better in new and exciting ways.

SEQUESTER(ING) CARBON

Finding clever ways to trap and store carbon dioxide to help the Earth stay healthy. Examples: plants sequester (absorb and store) carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

kahoot link

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INSTRUCTIONS

Use the interactive pen on the right side of the screen (top), or use regular paper, pen/pencil. The interactive pen will leave a temporary mark on your screen. To turn it on/off, just click on the pen. The idea is only to link the correspondent words. You have 30 seconds to match the words. After that, the solution will automatically appear on the screen. This is a simple word matching, repeat it to learn the words.

EQUITABLE

Carbon moves around the Earth between these different forms through the ‘carbon cycle’. The carbon cycle contains movement of carbon, in the form of CO2, into and out of the atmosphere.

Check the Carbon Cycle module for more info.

CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Making adjustments to how we live to better deal with the changes in weather and climate.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The support system for a city or town, including things like roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems that helps everything work smoothly.

Try again!

For each card with underlined words, the glossary information will be available.

GLACIER

A giant thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time. Examples: Fox Glacier in Westland

COASTAL RESILIENCE

Making sure our shores are strong and prepared for challenges like storms and rising sea levels. Examples: Seawalls and groynes

Air pollutants are measured to account for their direct harm to health and the environment, while greenhouse gases are measured to account for their long-term effect on the planet's climate.

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EQUITABLE

This data helps verify emissions estimates and supports emissions reduction policies for Auckland's net-zero goal by 2050. It can also guide urban planning and help other cities in New Zealand access similar data for better emission management.

Scientific publication here

GLACIER

A giant thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time. Examples: Fox Glacier in Westland

Download here

GLACIER

A giant thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time. Examples: Fox Glacier in Westland

COASTAL RESILIENCE

Making sure our shores are strong and prepared for challenges like storms and rising sea levels. Examples: Seawalls and groynes

Methane is a potent but relatively short-lived greenhouse gas. In New Zealand, most methane is emitted from the digestive systems of ruminant livestock such as cattle and sheep.

https://www.nzagrc.org.nz/domestic/methane-research-programme/the-science-of-methane/

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ACIDIFICATION

When the water becomes more acidic. In oceans, CO2 absorption increases acidification, harming sea creatures like corals and shells.

Try again!

All discussion cards activities are also available in a pdf format (printable).In case this is easier to facilitate the discussion, check the link below, with instructions and all cards:

Download

EARTH SYSTEM DATA

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Making adjustments to how we live to better deal with the changes in weather and climate.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The support system for a city or town, including things like roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems that helps everything work smoothly.

Oh no!

Retry

Are you sure you want to exit?

You will lose all your progress

Climate change will cause more wildfires, floods, droughts, and landslides due to heavy rain.

EQUITABLE

Download here

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Tools or ideas that people create to solve problems or make life better in new and exciting ways.

SEQUESTER(ING) CARBON

Finding clever ways to trap and store carbon dioxide to help the Earth stay healthy. Examples: plants sequester (absorb and store) carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

GLACIER

A giant thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time. Examples: Fox Glacier in Westland

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

FOSTER

To help something grow, like taking care of plants or animals to make them healthy and strong.

ACIDIFICATION

When the water becomes more acidic. In oceans, CO2 absorption increases acidification, harming sea creatures like corals and shells.

For each card with underlined words, the glossary information will be available.

CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Making adjustments to how we live to better deal with the changes in weather and climate.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The support system for a city or town, including things like roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems that helps everything work smoothly.

CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Making adjustments to how we live to better deal with the changes in weather and climate.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The support system for a city or town, including things like roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems that helps everything work smoothly.

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Making adjustments to how we live to better deal with the changes in weather and climate.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The support system for a city or town, including things like roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems that helps everything work smoothly.

EQUITABLE

Download here

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Tools or ideas that people create to solve problems or make life better in new and exciting ways.

SEQUESTER(ING) CARBON

Finding clever ways to trap and store carbon dioxide to help the Earth stay healthy. Examples: plants sequester (absorb and store) carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Got it right?

YES

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Tools or ideas that people create to solve problems or make life better in new and exciting ways.

SEQUESTER(ING) CARBON

Finding clever ways to trap and store carbon dioxide to help the Earth stay healthy. Examples: plants sequester (absorb and store) carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

EARTH SYSTEM DATA

kahoot link

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Carbon dioxide is also the reference for the global warming potential (GWP).

kahoot link

EQUITABLE

Greenhouse gases are important for supporting life on Earth, but it is crucial that the sources and sinks are in balance.

Check the Sinks and Sources module for more information.

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ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

FOSTER

To help something grow, like taking care of plants or animals to make them healthy and strong.

ACIDIFICATION

When the water becomes more acidic. In oceans, CO2 absorption increases acidification, harming sea creatures like corals and shells.

EQUITABLE

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

EARTH SYSTEM DATA

GLACIER

A giant thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time. Examples: Fox Glacier in Westland

COASTAL RESILIENCE

Making sure our shores are strong and prepared for challenges like storms and rising sea levels. Examples: Seawalls and groynes

Carbon dioxide from urban fossil fuel burning is responsible for 40% of Aotearoa’s gross carbon emissions.

https://www.gns.cri.nz/research-projects/carbonwatch-urban/

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Check for more info: https://niwa.co.nz/atmosphere/carbon-dioxide

CarbonWatch NZ is an internationally-recognised research programme that will enable New Zealand to make the right decisions for a zero carbon future. CarbonWatch NZ combines measurements of greenhouse gases in the air above New Zealand with models that tell where those gases have come from.

Visit the website

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ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

FOSTER

To help something grow, like taking care of plants or animals to make them healthy and strong.

ACIDIFICATION

When the water becomes more acidic. In oceans, CO2 absorption increases acidification, harming sea creatures like corals and shells.

Oh no!

Retry

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

EARTH SYSTEM DATA

Oh no!

Retry

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

Each method has its own advantages and is chosen based on where it's being measured and how accurate the results need to be.

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Tools or ideas that people create to solve problems or make life better in new and exciting ways.

SEQUESTER(ING) CARBON

Finding clever ways to trap and store carbon dioxide to help the Earth stay healthy. Examples: plants sequester (absorb and store) carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

As climate change makes the earth warmer there are more forest fires which releases carbon back into the atmosphere as CO2.

Try again!

CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Making adjustments to how we live to better deal with the changes in weather and climate.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The support system for a city or town, including things like roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems that helps everything work smoothly.

These gases come from things like driving cars, using electricity, buying goods, and even eating certain foods. The more we do things that release these gases, the bigger our carbon footprint.

CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Making adjustments to how we live to better deal with the changes in weather and climate.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The support system for a city or town, including things like roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems that helps everything work smoothly.

As humans have burnt fossil fuels, more and more carbon has been added to the atmosphere and oceans, instead of being stored deep underground.

Try again!

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Tools or ideas that people create to solve problems or make life better in new and exciting ways.

SEQUESTER(ING) CARBON

Finding clever ways to trap and store carbon dioxide to help the Earth stay healthy. Examples: plants sequester (absorb and store) carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Tools or ideas that people create to solve problems or make life better in new and exciting ways.

SEQUESTER(ING) CARBON

Finding clever ways to trap and store carbon dioxide to help the Earth stay healthy. Examples: plants sequester (absorb and store) carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Oh no!

Retry

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Tools or ideas that people create to solve problems or make life better in new and exciting ways.

SEQUESTER(ING) CARBON

Finding clever ways to trap and store carbon dioxide to help the Earth stay healthy. Examples: plants sequester (absorb and store) carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Try again!

Download here

CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Making adjustments to how we live to better deal with the changes in weather and climate.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The support system for a city or town, including things like roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems that helps everything work smoothly.

Oh no!

Retry

GNS Science Te Pū Ao is leading research to map urban carbon dioxide sources and sinks for every town and city in Aotearoa, providing vital information to support the transition to a low-carbon economy and help Aotearoa meet our net-zero 2050 target. Understanding how much carbon dioxide is released by our cities and how much is absorbed by urban green spaces is key for effective mitigation policies.

Visit the website

GLACIER

A giant thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time. Examples: Fox Glacier in Westland

COASTAL RESILIENCE

Making sure our shores are strong and prepared for challenges like storms and rising sea levels. Examples: Seawalls and groynes

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

FOSTER

To help something grow, like taking care of plants or animals to make them healthy and strong.

ACIDIFICATION

When the water becomes more acidic. In oceans, CO2 absorption increases acidification, harming sea creatures like corals and shells.

Download here

POWERFUL

In the context of greenhouse gases, means that methane (CH4) has a stronger effect on the environment compared to carbon dioxide (CO2).

EQUITABLE

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Retry

Download here

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EQUITABLE

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The higher the concentration of carbon in the air, the more heat it traps, which makes the planet warmer.

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

FOSTER

To help something grow, like taking care of plants or animals to make them healthy and strong.

ACIDIFICATION

When the water becomes more acidic. In oceans, CO2 absorption increases acidification, harming sea creatures like corals and shells.

ECOFRIENDLY

Being kind to the Earth by using things that don't harm the environment, like recycling, saving energy, and taking care of nature. Kaitiakitanga in Te Ao Māori.

FOSTER

To help something grow, like taking care of plants or animals to make them healthy and strong.

ACIDIFICATION

When the water becomes more acidic. In oceans, CO2 absorption increases acidification, harming sea creatures like corals and shells.

Oh no!

You failed

Retry

GLACIER

A giant thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time. Examples: Fox Glacier in Westland

COASTAL RESILIENCE

Making sure our shores are strong and prepared for challenges like storms and rising sea levels. Examples: Seawalls and groynes

Download here

F-gases are man-made gases often used in coolants, foaming agents, fire extinguishers, solvents, pesticides, and aerosol propellants. They are powerful greenhouse gases.

https://www.epa.gov/climatechange-science/basics-climate-change

GLACIER

A giant thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time. Examples: Fox Glacier in Westland

COASTAL RESILIENCE

Making sure our shores are strong and prepared for challenges like storms and rising sea levels. Examples: Seawalls and groynes

Oh no!

Retry

GLACIER

A giant thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time. Examples: Fox Glacier in Westland

COASTAL RESILIENCE

Making sure our shores are strong and prepared for challenges like storms and rising sea levels. Examples: Seawalls and groynes

Carbon cycle interactive

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Transcript

The Carbon Cycle and Climate Change

intro

Climate Change

GreenhouseGases

Sinks and Sources

Urban Carbon Cycle

Global Carbon Cycle

content

Measuring CO2

Climate Action

Kuputaka

Additional Resources

Video

Activities

Authors

climate change

What is Climate Change?

How does climate change affect the planet?

Test your knowledge

What is Climate Change?

Climate change refers to long-term changes in the Earth's climate, especially the increase in the average temperature of the planet.

climate change

How does climate change affect the planet?

Climate change affects the planet in many ways. Due to changes in global temperature, extreme events are more likely to happen. Such events can also affect food and water supplies. People can get sick with more diseases and have heat-related illnesses.

climate change

Test your knowledge

Click to play:

Climate ChangeQuiz

Climate Change Bonus Quiz

climate change

After the activities, click home to choose your next topic

greenhouse gases

What is the difference between air pollutants and greenhouse gases?

What is Carbon?

What are greenhouse gases?

What is Carbon Footprint?

Why is the Earth warming?

Test your knowledge

The atmosphere

The atmosphere is a jacket of gases that surround our planet. It is made of:Nitrogen (N2) - 78.1 % Oxygen (O2) - 20.9 % Argon (Ar) - 0.9 % Carbon dioxide (CO2) - 0.04 % And the rest is made of very small amounts of other gases including water vapor.

greenhouse gas

What are Greenhouse Gases?

Greenhouse gases (GHG) are gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat reflected from the Earth's surface. (like how heat is trapped in a greenhouse) We need some greenhouse gases to survive, without them the earth would be -19°C, which is about the same temperature as your freezer!

greenhouse gas

Why is the Earth warming?

greenhouse gas

Why is the Earth warming?

There are a number of gases that contribute to global warming, some of these are:

greenhouse gas

methane carbon dioxide water vapour nitrous oxide fluorinated gases

click on the molecules for more info

What is the difference between air pollutants and greenhouse gases?

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which causes the planet to warm up over time.

greenhouse gas

Air pollutants can harm our health and the environment.

What is the difference between air pollutants and greenhouse gases?

Air pollutants are tracked for their immediate harm to health, while greenhouse gases are measured to account for their potential to change the Earth’s climate over time. The way we look at air pollutants and greenhouse gases is different because they affect the Earth in different ways.

greenhouse gas

What is Carbon?

greenhouse gas

What is CO2?

greenhouse gas

Learn more about the carbon cycle in the Global and Urban Carbon Cycle modules.