Education Always

Level: JHS, Basic 8  |  Subject: Integrated Science  |  Strand: Humans and the Environment  |  Topic: Climate Change and Green Economy

Curriculum reference: NaCCA Basic 8 Integrated Science, Humans and the Environment. These notes cover the standard scope of the topic and use the GES General Science learner material on solar energy and fossil fuels.

1. Weather and Climate

• Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a place over a short time (hours or days).
• Climate is the average weather of a place over many years (usually 30 years or more).

Climate change is a long-term change in temperature, rainfall and other weather patterns.

2. The Greenhouse Effect

Some gases in the air trap heat from the Sun, like the glass of a greenhouse. This is natural and keeps the Earth warm enough for life. The problem is that human activities add too much of these gases, so the Earth gets warmer. This is called global warming.

Greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide, water vapour and CFCs.

3. Causes of Climate Change

• Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, petrol, diesel, gas) in vehicles, generators and factories.
• Cutting down forests (deforestation) and bush burning. Trees take in carbon dioxide, so fewer trees means more carbon dioxide in the air.
• Farming: methane from cattle, rice fields and rotting waste.
• Burning rubbish and waste dumps.
• Illegal mining (galamsey) which destroys vegetation.

4. Effects of Climate Change

Effect	Meaning for Ghana
Rising temperatures	Hotter days, more heat-related illness
Changing rainfall	Late or irregular rains, droughts and floods
Poor crop yields	Food shortages and higher prices
Melting ice and rising sea level	Coastal erosion and flooding of low coastal communities
More diseases	Malaria and cholera increase with flooding and heat
Loss of living things	Habitats are damaged and some species disappear

5. What We Can Do

Mitigation (reducing the causes):

• Use clean energy such as solar, wind and hydro.
• Plant trees (afforestation) and protect forests.
• Use less fuel by walking, cycling and sharing transport.
• Save electricity and reduce, reuse and recycle waste.
• Stop bush burning.

Adaptation (living with the changes):

• Plant drought-resistant and early-maturing crops.
• Build better drains and avoid building on waterways.
• Harvest rain water and store water.
• Give weather and early warning information to farmers.

6. Fossil Fuels and Solar Energy

Fossil fuels come from the remains of ancient plants and animals. They are not renewable, and burning them releases carbon dioxide, methane and sulphur dioxide. Solar panels convert sunlight to electricity and release no gases while working. Ghana has plenty of sunshine, so solar energy can improve air quality, cut carbon emissions and give energy security. Challenges include high starting cost, no sunlight at night and the need for batteries.

7. The Green Economy

A green economy grows by creating jobs and wealth without harming the environment. It is low in carbon, uses resources wisely and includes everyone.

• Renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro).
• Recycling and waste-to-wealth businesses.
• Sustainable farming and forestry.
• Green transport and energy-saving buildings.
• Green jobs such as solar installers, tree planters and recycling workers.

Remember: Weather is short-term and climate is long-term. Too many greenhouse gases cause global warming, and a green economy helps us grow without damaging the Earth.

Education Always (education.inspiringalways.com). Original notes written to follow the NaCCA Basic 8 Integrated Science curriculum.