How the Earth Is Changing

🌏 Investigating How the Earth Is Changing

Learning Intention:
We are learning to explore how natural and human changes affect the Earth’s surface.

Success Criteria – I can:
✅ Tell the difference between natural and man-made changes
✅ Explain what causes these changes
✅ Suggest ways to fix or prevent the damage

Choose one of the problems below and use the websites to help you research and write your findings. Let’s work together to protect our planet! 💚

🧊 PROBLEM: The planet is heating up, and glaciers are shrinking.

Why is this a problem?
Melting glaciers cause sea levels to rise, which can flood land and make it hard for animals like polar bears to survive.

How can we fix it?
We can save energy, ride bikes or walk, plant trees, and use clean energy like solar power.

🔍 Try these kid-friendly websites to learn more:

• NASA Climate Kids – Ice Sheets
  
  

• National Geographic Kids – Climate Change
  
  

• BBC Bitesize – Climate Change
  
  

🚤 PROBLEM: Boats and other watercraft are eroding the seashore.

Why is this a problem?
When waves from boats crash into the shore too often, they break it down and wash away sand and soil. This can destroy homes for birds, turtles, and plants.

How can we fix it?
Use fewer boats in sensitive areas, follow speed limits on water, and plant plants to hold the sand in place.

🔍 Explore these websites:

• BBC Bitesize – Coasts and Erosion
  
  

• Ducksters – Erosion
  
  

• National Geographic Kids – Oceans
  
  

🌃 PROBLEM: Bright city lights cause light pollution, which affects animals.

Why is this a problem?
Many animals need the dark to sleep, hunt, or find their way. Bright lights confuse them. It can even affect humans too!

How can we fix it?
Turn off lights when we don’t need them, use dim lights, or install light shields that point lights down.

🔍 Check out these sites to learn more:

• NASA Climate Kids – Light Pollution
  
  

• Dark Sky – Light Pollution Explained
  
  

• Kiddle – Light Pollution
  
  

🐾 PROBLEM: Building new roads takes away animal habitats.

Why is this a problem?
Animals like koalas, wombats, and kangaroos lose their homes. They might not find enough food or might get hurt trying to cross roads.

How can we fix it?
Create wildlife crossings (like bridges or tunnels), plant more trees, and design roads carefully to protect nature.

🔍 Learn more from these websites:

• National Geographic Kids – Habitat Loss
  
  

• WWF Kids – Why Habitats Matter
  
  

• BBC Bitesize – Human Impact
  
  

🌳 PROBLEM: Trees and plants are cut down to build houses.

Why is this a problem?
Trees clean our air, give us oxygen, and provide homes for animals. Cutting them down makes the Earth hotter and takes away animal homes.

How can we fix it?
Plant new trees (reforestation), protect forests, and use land more wisely.

🔍 Visit these websites to find out more:

• BBC Bitesize – Deforestation
  
  

• Kiddle – Deforestation
  
  

• National Geographic Kids – Rainforests
  
  

💧 PROBLEM: High-pressure hoses wash away the topsoil needed to grow plants.

Why is this a problem?
Topsoil is the best part of the soil—it’s full of nutrients! Without it, plants can’t grow well, and we could lose crops and gardens.

How can we fix it?
Use watering cans or drip hoses, mulch the soil, and plant cover crops to protect the ground.

🔍 Discover more on these websites:

• NASA Climate Kids – Soil
  
  

• BBC Bitesize – Soil and Farming
  
  

• Kiddle – Soil Erosion
  
  

💡 Tips for your research:

• Pick one problem to focus on.
  
  

• Use the websites to gather facts, images, and solutions.
  
  

• Think about what humans are doing and how we can change that to help Earth.
  
  

• Share your ideas in writing, drawings, or presentations!
  
  

🌟 Let’s protect our planet, one solution at a time! 🌱