Have them brainstorm some potential effects of global warming that concern them, and have a student list these on the board. Inform the students that the Kyoto pact in 1997 was an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gases emissions. Refer students back to their list of concerns about global warming and discuss which issues they feel are international issues. Discuss whether or not they believe that meetings such as the one in Trieste are beneficial to curtailing the damage of global warming. Direct each group to research the predicted effects of global warming over the next century as it concerns their assigned topic.
Students can use charts and graphs to illustrate the information they have found.
Have each group present their information to the class. After listening to all of the presentations, have each student identify what he or she thinks is the most significant area that global warming will affect. Direct each student to write a letter to President George W. Bush or another world leader addressing this issue and outlining some actions the country can take to lessen the impact of global warming. Additionally, challenge them to consider ways in which their school and community can contribute to reducing the problem. Refer to the Web sites below to obtain a list of U.S. coastal communities.