Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 2
CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREEN ECONOMY
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CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREEN ECONOMY
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Science
Class: JHS 2
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 11
Grade code: B8.5.4.1.2
Strand code: 5
Sub-strand code: 4
Content standard code: B8.5.4.1
Indicator code: B8.5.4.1.2
Theme: HUMANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Subtheme: CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREEN ECONOMY
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Climate change is the long-term change in weather patterns (rainfall, temperature, wind) that affects farming, fishing, water supply, health, and electricity generation in Ghana. We see it in irregular rains, longer dry seasons, flooding in towns, coastal erosion, and hotter days. A green economy is a way of developing Ghana that creates jobs and improves lives without destroying the environment—by using resources wisely, reducing pollution, and protecting nature.
A. Weather vs Climate Weather: Day-to-day conditions (today’s rain, today’s temperature). Climate: Average weather conditions over a long time (usually 30 years or more).
Example (Ghana): If it rains heavily today in Kumasi, that is *weather*. If Kumasi’s rainfall pattern changes over many years (e.g., shorter rainy season), that is *climate change*.
B. What is Climate Change? Climate change is a long-term shift in climate patterns, especially temperature and rainfall, over many years. Main Causes of Climate Change Climate change can be caused by natural factors and human activities, but today the major driver is human activity. 1) Human causes (major today) These increase greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere: Burning fossil fuels (petrol, diesel, coal) for transport, generators, industries → releases carbon dioxide (CO₂). Deforestation (cutting trees for charcoal, farming, logging) → fewer trees to absorb CO₂; burning forests releases CO₂. Poor waste management (open dumping, burning, landfills) → produces methane (CH₄). Some farming practices (rice paddies, livestock) → methane; fertilisers can release nitrous oxide (N₂O). 2) Natural causes (less important for current rapid change) Volcanic eruptions, changes in solar radiation, natural climate cycles.
C. Greenhouse Effect (Why the Earth is Getting Hotter) The sun’s energy reaches Earth. Earth releases some energy back as heat. Greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, water vapour) trap part of this heat like a blanket. When GHGs increase, more heat is trapped, causing global warming (rise in average temperature), which drives climate change.