How do I explain the concept of global warming to a group of 9 year olds?

Answer 1

Are you a teacher? If so, I think it's best to go with a visual that would mirror the concept on a scale they'd understand. Put ice cubes in a low-walled cassarole dish, with building blocks or something that would represent landmasses. Then, as the class does whatever else they do, you could periodically call their attention to the fact that, as the ice melts, the landmasses get submerged in water. Then, I think that by getting them to understand some concrete example of the potential results of global warming, you'd be able to use that as a mirco-example of the large scale results.

Answer 2

Start with the experience many of them have had of a car or room heating up when the sun shines in the windows to the still air inside. Then ask them to imagine that instead of glass, there was a layer in the air that behaved the same way, allowing light and higher intensity heat rays in, but not allowing lower temperature heat radiation back out. Explain that the gas CO2, which we breath out, but which also comes from burning fuels, acts like that layer. (CFC's destroy the ozone layer which increases cancer damage but does not affect global warming.)

Answer 3

Fill a glass with ice and water. Fill to the top. Show them what happens when the ice melts-- water overflows. This will show them how the continents will get flooded.
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Um, 100% incorrect. Have you ever actually done this? The water level does not change when floating ice melts. Melting ice caps will NOT change the level of the oceans.

Anyway, to answer the initial question, I would explain it like this: Earth goes through times where it is warm and times where it is cold. Some people think people are making it warmer, but there is still a lot we don't know so scientists are studying it.

Answer 4

You could try something like: "Errr, sorry but your mommies and daddies and grandparents have ruined the world for you."

But seriously, nine year-olds are typically pretty smart. Explain to them that the levels of carbon in the atmosphere have increased dramatically since the industrial revolution. Carbon traps heat and causes global temperatures to rise. This is a bad thing because it effects animal habitats, and if allowed to continue unabated, it will displace millions of people who live in low-lying coastal regions.

You could demonstate this by creating terrariums that show the effect.

Answer 5

Hi,
I think that you should do a project with Ice!, make a city out of legos's in a water proof conatiner explain how polution is causing the ozon layer to thin and how this causes Ice to melt in the south which causes the sea to rise.Put like ice in the container with a light bulb and explain what will happen as a cause of overheat the ice will melt and the cities will flood!...or try something else with ICE it will be fun for kids they like ice and like water ans stuff!... I hope I helped somehow

Answer 6

How much do you want them to understand? How it is happening or the end-result (polar ice cap melting)?

I am not sure how to explain how it is happening . . .
I'm thinking of a scenario with some kind of filter (atmosphere) and damage to the filter allows more of some substance to come through.


To demonstrate the effects . . .

Fill a glass with ice and water. Fill to the top. Show them what happens when the ice melts-- water overflows. This will show them how the continents will get flooded.

Answer 7

The concept of global warming shouldn't be explained to a nine-year-old. Why place that burden on their shoulders?

Answer 8

I don't think you're going to without spooking the pants off of em'
what are you gonna do? Tell them every continent on the planet might be under water sometime in thier childrens lifetime... I think they should learn that when it's time for them to buy an energy efficient vehicle that runs on vegtable oil or electric, like when they're in high school.....

Answer 9

at 9 the children love to play and they are still very visual. Show them colorful drawings, play games, make the most fun of it. They will understand the message because when they are young the most of the knowledge comes in form of child's play

Answer 10

Hello kids...the earth goes through these cycles of hot and cold...right now we are going through one of the hotter cycles...it has actually been a lot hotter than it is right now though, so don't get scared..
And also Al Gore can't get a real job.