U.S. Sea Levels to Rise Rapidly in Next 30 Years

• This news clip from NJ Spotlight News highlights the rapid rise in sea level already occurring in New Jersey and the risk of accelerated sea level rise in the future if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced or halted. 
• Dr. Robert Kopp from Rutgers University explains that this increase in sea level rise will be associated with more frequent and more impactful flooding events. 
  

Positives

• The question and answer format of the interview will help students stay engaged.
• The content focuses on the impacts of sea level rise on the Jersey Shore, but the content can be applied globally.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• The content ends at 4 minutes, 6 seconds, with credits at the end.
• Students should be familiar with the terms global warming and greenhouse gases.
  

Differentiation

• This resource could be used as a hook for lessons about the phases of matter, the properties of water, density, or plate tectonics.
• Students in the northeastern United States could use this resource as an example of the local effects of climate change and compare them to the global averages.
• Science classes could use this experiment to help students understand the difference between melting glaciers and melting sea ice.
• Other resources to consider on this topic include the Thermal Expansion of Water and Earth's Vital Signs - An Exploration.
  

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.