Science·Weather & Climate·conceptual
Climate Change Basics
Understand the basics of climate change: Earth’s atmosphere traps some of the Sun's heat (the greenhouse effect), burning fossil fuels adds extra greenhouse gases (especially CO₂), this is making Earth gradually warmer, and this warming changes weather patterns, melts ice, and raises sea levels
Suggested ages 9–11
Learning journey
Your child is exploring how the Sun drives weather patterns and creates different climate zones around Earth, learning about extreme weather events, climate change, and how people design solutions to protect communities from weather hazards.
Evidence of understanding
- Describe the greenhouse effect: the atmosphere traps heat from the Sun
- Explain that burning fossil fuels increases CO₂ in the atmosphere
- Name at least two consequences of global warming: changing weather patterns, melting ice, rising seas
Assessment prompt
Can Climate Change Basics explain the greenhouse effect in simple terms and describe how burning oil, gas, and coal adds extra CO₂ to the air, making Earth warmer and changing weather patterns?
Standards alignment
No external standards are linked to this topic.