Predications by 2050
If global temperatures rise by 1.5°C to 2.0°C, what complex consequence might occur? (Think weather...)
What are more frequent and intense extreme weather events?
Americans waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of this resource each year due to household leaks.
What is water?
As these frozen land masses melt, sea levels rise and coastal areas are at greater risk of flooding.
What are glaciers (or polar ice caps)?
This layer of the Earth, made of large plates, is where earthquakes begin when the plates shift.
What is the crust?
Cutting down too many of these living things harms animals and increases carbon in the atmosphere.
What are trees?
This percentage of all organisms that have ever existed on Earth are already extinct.
What is 99.9%?
Roughly 30–40% of the U.S. food supply is wasted, most often ending up here.
What is a landfill?
This gas, released by burning fossil fuels, is the main contributor to global warming.
What is carbon dioxide (CO₂)?
This type of storm includes thunder, lightning, heavy rain, and sometimes hail.
What is a thunderstorm?
Throwing trash on the ground instead of in the garbage contributes to this form of pollution.
What is littering?
The global population is expected to increase by this many billion people by 2050.
What is 2 billion people?
Americans use over 100 billion of these every year, but only a small fraction get recycled.
What are plastic bags?
Rising global temperatures are causing more frequent and intense events like hurricanes and wildfires, also known as these.
What are natural disasters (or extreme weather events)?
This spinning storm forms over warm ocean water and is known for strong winds and heavy rain.
What is a hurricane?
Cars and factories release pollution into the air, which creates this type of air pollution that makes it harder to breathe.
What is smog (air pollution)?
How might plastic pollution impact human health beyond visible environmental damage?
What are potential microplastic exposure causing inflammation and reproductive issues?
Idling your car wastes this non-renewable resource, contributing to air pollution.
What is gasoline (fossil fuels)?
Deforestation and increased pollution from factories are examples of how these living things contribute to climate change. (Hint: who contributes to this?)
What are humans?
A tsunami is usually caused by this type of underwater natural disaster.
What is an earthquake?
Human activities like burning coal and oil release the type of gases that trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere.
What are greenhouse gases?
What explains why multiple species might become extinct by 2050? (3 examples!)
What are combined effects of habitat destruction, climate change, and human activities?
Leaving these common household devices plugged in, even when not in use, wastes electricity.
What are electronics (appliances)?
This type of energy, coming from the sun, wind, or water, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
What is renewable energy?
Tornadoes are most common in this central region of the United States, known for frequent twisters.
What is the Tornado Alley?
When people use natural resources faster than nature can replace them, this type of resource is at risk.
What is a non-renewable resource?