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This problem-based case study guides students through a systematic exploration of the scientific issues surrounding the application and development of hydrogen fuel technology. A PowerPoint presentation introduces a New York Times article about the impact of our abundant natural gas resources on the cost of hydrogen fuel production. The article includes an Energy Department estimate that places the gasoline-cost equivalent of hydrogen fuel production, compression, and distribution at less than $4 per gallon, making it a viable option for the transportation sector. Students are then given primary literature articles and a worksheet to help them examine (1) the benefits and drawbacks of using hydrogen as a fuel in automobiles and trucks, (2) the current technological/engineering limitations of using hydrogen fuel, and (3) whether the pursuit of developing large-scale use of hydrogen-powered cars is the right direction for the country. Originally written for a second semester/second quarter general chemistry course, the case study is designed to illustrate the direct application of chemical thermodynamics and gas laws to the production and distribution of renewable fuels.  

Get a snapshot of the impact of your daily lifestyle. Compare how much water is used to make a variety of products so that you can choose to reduce your water footprint. For those that want to find out more, the green, blue and grey water footprint shows the source of water consumed and the volume of fresh water required for assimilation of pollutants.

short video Sir David Attenborough narrates the extraordinary history of the Montreal Protocol to raise awareness of the 28th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in Kigali, Rwanda, and efforts to control powerful global warming chemicals hydrofluorocarbons - HFCs - under the Protocol. Reducing HFCs under the Montreal Protocol can avoid 0.5°C of global warming by the end of the century, while continuing to protect the ozone layer.

CAIT is one of the most trusted sources of climate data available. It is a free and open source for comprehensive and comparable climate and emissions data. CAIT is made up of a suite of tools that allow users to utilize the data to understand considerations of equity in climate negotiations, see transparency and available information in country climate action comitments, interact with historical emissions data, and dive into the methodologies behind future emissions projections. CAIT allows national governments, international organizations and independent researchers to perform relevant analysis and promote efficient action on climate change.

For many of us, envisioning the profound effects of climate change is hard to do without relatable examples. By illustrating specific aspects of climate change research, Pelto provokes viewers to question, wonder, and want to know more. In this exercise, you will select a scientific graph that addresses an important real-world issue, create an illustrated graph from that original, and craft an effective artist's statement that connects the two. Once you're done, keep an eye out for other ways you can merge science with art. The possibilities are endless!

One Day on Earth is a global collaborative project that launched last fall for the purpose of documenting 24 hours of life around the world. On October 10, 2010 (10.10.10) people around the world filmed life in their parts of the world. Those recordings were then contributed to a massive film project that will eventually be edited down to showcase the diversity, conflicts, tragedies, and triumphs that take place in a 24 hour period across the globe. The film is not ready yet, but you can explore many of the contributed videos by visiting the One Day on Earth map.

CSEP provides formal and informal educators working with elementary through university age students with sustained professional development, collaborative tools, and support to build a climate-literate public that is actively engaged in climate stewardship. CSEP also provides support for educators to execute climate stewardship (mitigation or adaptation) projects with their audiences to increase understanding of climate science and practical actions to reduce the impact of climate change. The project is part of NOAA's portfolio of activities to strengthen ocean, climate, and atmospheric science education. 

At this point, this is a classic example of trophic cascades. Sort of the "peppered moth" of the subject. This is a nice video about it. (I now see that the video has been shared already, but this also has an article (which includes the correction of deer/elk)

Clue into Climate: A Digital Media-Based Curriculum Unit on Climate Change was created with input from San Francisco Bay Area teachers and advisors. The curriculum unit is comprised of four content strands, each of which includes 5-7 media resources related to the strand topic. Each strand also contains a strand guide and assessment, a background article and 4-5 lesson plans that provide information and activities to support the use of the media with students. Additionally, the curriculum unit provides a student workbook and a climate education resource guide.

Virtual tour of a wastewater treatment plant. Click the numbers to find out what happens at each step of the process.

Virtual tour of a wastewater treatment plant. Click the numbers to find out what happens at each step of the process.

 The snow and ice stored within this resplendent arc of nearly 50,000 high-altitude glaciers are vital sources of water for the major rivers of Asia. GlacierWorks is a non-profit organization that vividly illustrates the changes to Himalayan glaciers through art, science, and adventure.

The city of Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory lies in the heart of crocodile country. In the 1950s, saltwater crocodiles were shot, skinned, and turned into shoes and handbags. After hunting was banned in the 1970s, crocodile numbers climbed. Now there's a croc for every man, woman, and child in Darwin. Can the human citizens learn to live alongside their toothy neighbors? Good source of quick podcasts and a guide for using them.

The Story of Stuff is one of the most watched environmental-themed online movies of all time. Its animated and accessible to all levels of students. This is a great introduction to Environmental Justice, and what students can do to get involved through action.

I totally agree! I got to meet Annie Leonard at SXSW-Eco in Austin, TX last October after her keynote speech. She encouraged me to take advantage of the free teaching material on the project website. There's so much great "stuff" on there!

Interesting site..good perhaps for ideas or use with those students who become home-bound. This environmental science laboratory course is specifically designed for practical applications of science using readily available household materials. This course provides the learner with firsthand experience of important scientific aspects of environmental studies, including air quality, ecological concerns, waste-management issues, and energy consumption and conservation.

Scientists have combined cookies, citizen science and robust research methods to track the diversity of ant species across the United States, and are now collaborating with international partners to get a global perspective on how ants are moving and surviving in the modern world. The School of Ants project was developed to help researchers get a handle on the diversity of ant species across the United States.

On July 26, 1943, Los Angeles was blanketed by a thick gas that stung people's eyes and blocked out the Sun. Panicked residents believed their city had been attacked using chemical warfare. But the cloud wasn't an act of war. It was smog. So what is this thick gray haze actually made of? And why does it affect some cities and not others? Kim Preshoff details the science behind smog.

The changing climate impacts society and ecosystems in a broad variety of ways. For example, climate change can alter rainfall, influence crop yields, affect human health, cause changes to forests and other ecosystems, and even impact our energy supply. Climate-related impacts are occurring across the country and over many sectors of our economy. Explore the impacts of climate change by region, by sector, or by state.

Consider the classic white t-shirt. Annually, we sell and buy 2 billion t-shirts globally, making it one of the most common garments in the world. But how and where is the average t-shirt made, and what's its environmental impact? Angel Chang traces the life cycle of a t-shirt.

Dr. Jason Moore's work is a really amazing look at the concept of the Anthropocene and the connection between ecological damages and capitalism/globalization throughout history. A really nice way to frame the big picture for a lot of the topics in APES. His main website is down (jasonwmoore.com), but this article should give an idea of the point being made.