the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere at a given time, measured in parts per million (ppm)

long cylinders of ice drilled from glaciers or ice sheets

the variety of living things in an ecosystem or area

something found in layers of Earth (like rock, ice, or mud) that shows a big change in the planet's history

the physical material at the surface of Earth

Evidence of the Anthropocene

Geography

An introduction to the Anthropocene

The human impact on ecosystems

The impact of consumption

Plastic pollution

Threats to oceans

Fieldwork: Planning an air pollution enquiry and collecting data

Fieldwork: Presenting air pollution data

Fieldwork: Analysing, concluding and evaluating air pollution data

Phasing out fossil fuels

Alternative energy supplies

Global governance

Our future climate

Sustainability: A new way of living

This unit teaches pupils about how humans have affected our world by looking at environmental issues such as plastic pollution and the impact of fossil fuel use. The unit leads pupils to question whether we are in a new geological epoch.

Anthropocene: What is the impact of humans on the world?

The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, measured in ppm

A long sample drilled from glaciers that records past climates

The variety of living things in an ecosystem or area

A physical record in the Earth showing a major change in history

A physical material like forest or desert covering Earth's surface

Match the keywords and their definitions.

What has happened to atmospheric CO₂ levels since the industrial revolution?

Which of the following is evidence of biodiversity loss during the Anthropocene?

What do scientists use to describe changes in Earth’s layers caused by humans?

A proposed time period when humans started shaping Earth's systems

Which part of Earth is made up of gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide?

Glaciers, rivers, oceans, and water vapour

The geosphere includes which of the following?

Which of these is one of the main ways humans have changed the atmosphere?

Evidence of the Anthropocene

Lesson outcome