Climate change, global warming and the ozone layer for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 15 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: Solar PV Installation and Maintenance
Curriculum Theme: Principles of solar photovoltaic (PV)
Focal competence: Demonstrate the knowledge of Solar PV System as a viable source of renewable energy for environmental sustainability
Key competencies/values: Digital Competencies; Environmental Literacy
Skills:

• define climate change, global warming and the ozone layer

Previous Lesson: Relationship between renewable energy and climate change
Topic: Renewable Energy And Climate Change: Climate Change, Global Warming And The Ozone Layer
Subject Matter: Meaning of climate change, global warming and the ozone layer

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Define climate change.
• Explain global warming.
• Describe the ozone layer.
• Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
• State the relationship between renewable energy and climate change.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of protecting the environment.
• Recognise the urgency of addressing climate change.

Psychomotor Domain

• Identify examples of renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work For The New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Basic Solar PV Installation and Maintenance for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 1.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Charts showing environmental changes
• Video clips explaining climate change, global warming, and the ozone layer
• Digital devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones)
• Internet access
• Projector (if available)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it provides foundational knowledge on critical environmental issues like climate change and global warming, which are directly impacted by energy choices. Understanding these concepts helps students appreciate the significance of renewable energy sources, particularly solar PV, in promoting environmental sustainability and mitigating adverse climate effects.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of energy sources and their general uses from their Junior Secondary School science classes.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Renewable Energy And Climate Change: Climate Change, Global Warming And The Ozone Layer

Meaning of Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts can be natural, but since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels (like coal, oil, and gas), which produces heat-trapping gases.

Key indicators of climate change include:

1. Rising global temperatures.
2. Changes in precipitation patterns.
3. More frequent and intense extreme weather events (e.g., heatwaves, droughts, floods).
4. Melting glaciers and ice sheets.
5. Rising sea levels.

Meaning of Global Warming

Global warming is the long-term heating of Earth’s climate system observed since the pre-industrial period (between 1850 and 1900) due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere. It is a major aspect of climate change.

The main gases contributing to global warming are:

1. Carbon dioxide ((CO_2))
2. Methane ((CH_4))
3. Nitrous oxide ((N_2O))
4. Fluorinated gases

Meaning of The Ozone Layer

The ozone layer is a region of Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It contains a high concentration of ozone ((O_3)) relative to other parts of the atmosphere, though still small relative to other gases in the stratosphere. This layer protects life on Earth from harmful UV radiation, which can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and harm to plant and marine life.

Depletion of the ozone layer is primarily caused by:

1. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
2. Halons
3. Carbon tetrachloride
4. Methyl chloroform

These substances release chlorine and bromine atoms into the stratosphere, which then destroy ozone molecules.

Renewable Energy vs. Non-Renewable Energy

Energy sources are broadly classified into two categories:

1. Renewable Energy Sources: These are energy sources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale. They are sustainable and have a much lower environmental impact compared to non-renewable sources.

   Examples include:

   1. Solar energy (from sunlight)
   2. Wind energy (from wind turbines)
   3. Hydroelectric power (from flowing water)
   4. Geothermal energy (from Earth’s internal heat)
   5. Biomass energy (from organic matter)

2. Non-Renewable Energy Sources: These are energy sources that are finite and cannot be replenished on a human timescale. Their formation takes millions of years, and their reserves are limited. Burning these sources releases greenhouse gases, contributing significantly to climate change.

   Examples include:

   1. Fossil fuels (coal, crude oil, natural gas)
   2. Nuclear energy (from uranium)

Relationship between Renewable Energy and Climate Change

Renewable energy sources play a crucial role in mitigating climate change because they produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. By switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy, we can significantly reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases released into the atmosphere, thereby slowing down global warming and its associated climate changes.

Key aspects of this relationship include:

1. Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Renewable energy technologies like solar PV and wind power generate electricity without burning fossil fuels, thus avoiding the release of greenhouse gases.
2. Energy Security: Relying on abundant natural resources reduces dependence on finite fossil fuels, which are often concentrated in specific regions.
3. Environmental Protection: Beyond climate change, renewable energy reduces air and water pollution associated with fossil fuel extraction and combustion.
4. Economic Benefits: The renewable energy sector creates jobs and can lead to lower, more stable energy prices over time.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Internet Search, Video Presentation

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them what they understand by “weather” and “climate.” The teacher then introduces the topic: Climate Change, Global Warming, and the Ozone Layer, highlighting its importance to environmental sustainability and solar PV.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the questions and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Topic introduction and relevance

Step 2: Meaning of Climate Change

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Video Presentation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to watch a short video clip explaining climate change. After the video, the teacher explains climate change as long-term shifts in weather patterns and discusses its human causes, particularly fossil fuel burning.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video clip and participate in the discussion, asking questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Climate change definition

Step 3: Meaning of Global Warming

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains global warming as the long-term heating of Earth’s climate system, primarily due to increased greenhouse gases from human activities. The teacher clarifies that global warming is a component of climate change and lists the main greenhouse gases.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and contribute to the discussion by sharing their prior knowledge or asking questions.

Learning Point: Global warming explanation

Step 4: Meaning of The Ozone Layer

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aid

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses a chart or another video clip to explain the ozone layer, its location in the stratosphere, and its function in protecting Earth from UV radiation. The teacher also briefly mentions the causes of ozone depletion.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the charts/video, listen to the explanation, and understand the importance of the ozone layer.

Learning Point: Ozone layer function

Step 5: Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Energy

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Comparison/Examples

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines and differentiates between renewable and non-renewable energy sources, providing clear examples for each. The teacher emphasizes the finite nature of non-renewable sources and their environmental impact.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify examples of both energy types and understand their differences.

Learning Point: Energy source types

Step 6: Relationship between Renewable Energy and Climate Change

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Internet Search/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to use their digital devices to search the internet for information on how renewable energy helps combat climate change. After a brief search, the teacher facilitates a discussion on their findings, highlighting the role of reduced emissions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils conduct a quick internet search and share their findings, discussing the link between renewable energy and climate change mitigation.

Learning Point: Renewable energy’s role

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is climate change?
2. How is global warming different from climate change?
3. What is the main function of the ozone layer?
4. Give two examples of renewable energy sources.
5. How does renewable energy help address climate change?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding key concepts

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on climate change, global warming, the ozone layer, and renewable energy into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson content

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarisation/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the main points of the lesson, reinforcing the definitions of climate change, global warming, and the ozone layer, and reiterating the importance of renewable energy in creating a sustainable future. The teacher encourages students to be environmentally conscious.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask any final questions for clarity.

Learning Point: Lesson consolidation

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. In your own words, explain the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources, giving three examples for each.
2. Research and write a short paragraph on how the depletion of the ozone layer affects human health and the environment.
3. Suggest three ways individuals can contribute to reducing global warming.

Lesson Keywords

• Climate Change – Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.
• Global Warming – The long-term heating of Earth’s climate system due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning.
• Ozone Layer – A region in the Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
• Renewable Energy – Energy from sources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale.
• Non-Renewable Energy – Energy from finite sources that cannot be replenished on a human timescale.
• Greenhouse Gases – Gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to global warming.

Differentiation

Support: Provide simplified definitions and visual aids for students who struggle with abstract concepts. Pair weaker students with stronger ones for the internet search activity.

Extension: Encourage advanced students to research specific impacts of climate change in Nigeria or explore different renewable energy technologies beyond solar PV.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search YouTube for: “What is climate change for students SS1”, “Global warming explained for secondary school”, “The ozone layer explained for students”