The Earth's climate is dynamic, changing many times during the planet's history. These changes were caused by natural cycling and large, periodic events such as massive volcanic eruptions and shifts in the Earth's orbit. However for the past 200 years, human activity has created a sustained and growing impact. The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation has changed the temperature and composition of the atmosphere and the ocean and therefore very likely are influencing the Earth's climate. Below are several links to information and activities about climate change, the causes and impacts of climate change, the impacts and role of the ocean in climate change and the impact on the environment.
In collaboration with the Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence California (COSEE CA), scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (Scripps) have worked with a group of three middle school science teachers to teach students how marine natural products research at Scripps connects and contributes to the clinical drug discovery process. The participating San Diego Unified School District 7th grade life science teachers routinely teach a unit on drug discovery to approximately 300 students each year, and enrich the instruction by providing students the opportunity to communicate face-to-face with marine scientists through an interactive videoconference.
