Education Always

Level: JHS, Basic 7  |  Subject: Integrated Science  |  Strand: Humans and the Environment  |  Topic: Climate Change and the Green Economy

Curriculum reference: NaCCA Basic 7 Integrated Science, Strand 5 (Humans and the Environment). Written from the standard NaCCA topic list. Please check against the curriculum PDF.

1. Weather and Climate

• Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a place over a short time (today’s rain or sunshine).
• Climate is the average weather of a place over many years (30 years or more).
• Ghana has a tropical climate with a wet season and a dry season. The harmattan comes between December and February.

2. Climate Change

• Climate change is a long-term change in temperature and rainfall patterns of the Earth.
• Greenhouse effect: gases such as carbon dioxide and methane trap heat around the Earth. This is natural, but too much of these gases causes global warming.

3. Causes

• Burning fossil fuels (petrol, diesel, coal) in vehicles and factories.
• Cutting down forests (deforestation) and bush burning.
• Farming practices that release methane, such as rice fields and large livestock farms.
• Burning of rubbish and plastic.

4. Effects

• Hotter weather, drought and poor harvests.
• Irregular rains and floods that destroy farms and homes.
• Rising sea level, which threatens coastal communities such as Keta.
• Melting ice, spread of diseases and loss of plants and animals.

5. Solutions and the Green Economy

• A green economy grows the economy while protecting the environment and using resources wisely.
• Plant trees (afforestation) and stop bush burning.
• Use clean energy such as solar, wind and hydro power.
• Recycle and reuse waste, and use public transport.
• Use organic farming and climate-friendly farming methods.
• Create green jobs, for example in solar installation, recycling and tree planting.

Remember: Too many greenhouse gases cause global warming. Planting trees and using clean energy help to protect our climate.

Education Always (education.inspiringalways.com). Original notes written to follow the NaCCA Basic 7 Integrated Science curriculum.