Evidence of the Anthropocene
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe and evaluate key evidence that shows how humans have altered Earth's systems.
Key learning points
- Atmospheric CO₂ levels have risen steeply since the industrial revolution.
- Ice core data shows a sharp increase in greenhouse gases linked to human activity.
- Biodiversity loss is happening faster than natural extinction rates.
- Plastics and radioactive elements form geological markers of human impact.
- Land cover change is visible from satellites and historical maps.
Keywords
CO₂ concentration - the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere at a given time, measured in parts per million (ppm)
Ice core - long cylinders of ice drilled from glaciers or ice sheets
Biodiversity - the variety of living things in an ecosystem or area
Geological marker - something found in layers of Earth (like rock, ice, or mud) that shows a big change in the planet's history
Land cover - the physical material at the surface of Earth
Common misconception
Microplastics are only found in the ocean.
Microplastics are found in the ocean, soil, rock and animals.
Teacher tip
Get students to look out the window and ask what evidence they can see of human impact on the environment.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the Anthropocene?
Q2.Which part of Earth is made up of gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide?
Q3.What is included in the hydrosphere?
Q4.The geosphere includes which of the following?
Q5.What does the biosphere refer to?
Q6.Which of these is one of the main ways humans have changed the atmosphere?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords and their definitions.
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
Q2.What has happened to atmospheric CO₂ levels since the industrial revolution?
Q3.Which of the following is evidence of biodiversity loss during the Anthropocene?
Q4.What do scientists use to describe changes in Earth’s layers caused by humans?
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: Evidence of the Anthropocene, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: Evidence of the Anthropocene, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the Anthropocene: What is the impact of humans on the world? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.