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Year 6 - Science

Reducing our carbon footprint (non-statutory)

Climate change and sustainability (non-statutory)

Unit Summary

This unit examines our climate and the factors affecting it. Emphasis is on using data, taking precise measurements, recording data, and presenting findings.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain what a carbon footprint is and how we can reduce it.

Key Notes

  • Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to warmer temperatures on Earth.
  • A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of greenhouse gases that are released when we do everyday things.
  • The measure of a carbon footprint includes what we eat, how we travel, how often we buy new things, and much more.
  • Everyone can take action to reduce their carbon footprint.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • greenhouse gases: Gases which contribute towards global warming are called greenhouse gases.
  • fossil fuel: A fossil fuel is a natural fuel formed from the remains of living things over millions of years, such as coal, crude oil or natural gas.
  • action: An action is something that is done.
  • carbon footprint: A carbon footprint is a measure of how much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are released when we do everyday things.
  • reduce: To reduce something means to decrease the amount of it.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may think their carbon footprint relates only to air pollution that can be seen, such as smoke or soot.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to warmer temperatures on Earth. A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of greenhouse gases that are released when we do everyday things.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'greenhouse gases'

Gases which contribute towards global warming are called greenhouse gases. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may think their carbon footprint relates only to air pollution that can be seen, such as smoke or soot. Correction: Explain that greenhouse gases cannot be seen, smelled or tasted; just because we cannot see them, it doesn't mean they are not in the air around us.

More Lessons In This Unit

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