Classroom Questions

Questions for ‘Climate change makes seas rise faster and faster’

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Rising seas eroded the coastline of this resort region in Hoi An, Vietnam, causing its buildings to crack apart and start tumbling into the water. Climate change is threatening low-lying regions across the globe with similar destruction.

xuanhuongho/iStockPhoto

By Science News Explores

To accompany feature “Climate change makes seas rise faster and faster”

SCIENCE 

Before Reading: 

1.  Fill a transparent glass partway with water. Add two cubes of ice and mark the water line. Let the ice melt. Has the water line moved? Which way? Why?

2.  Look at a map of the United States or the world. Identify five cities that sit near an ocean. How many people live in those cities?

During Reading:

1.  What are the two reasons that average sea levels are rising?

2.  By how much are average sea levels rising each year? Why is that a problem?

3.  Why will sea levels continue to rise even if nations hold greenhouse gas emissions at current rates?

4.  What proportion of the world’s largest cities lie in coastal areas? Name three.

5.  List three ways that sea level rise can cause problems other than flooding.

6.  What are mangroves?

7.  How can scientists use soil cores to learn about the past?

8.  How often are floods expected in the New York area now? How often are they predicted to occur in 2030 to 2045?

9.  Describe the two proposed strategies for protecting Jamaica Bay from sea level rise.

10.  How could building mounds on the sea floor help to slow down sea level rise?

After Reading: 

1.  If you had money to buy a house on the beach, would you? Explain your answer using evidence from the story.

2.  The story gives lots of ideas for how to prevent further sea-level rise or to deal with the rising waters. Choose the three that you think would be most effective. Explain your choices.