MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Abstract: Methanogenesis is the process of organisms being able to convert biomass into methane. Methanogenesis is happening in the Antarctic permafrost. Most people believe that carbon dioxide is the most important green house gas that is driving climate change. In reality, carbon dioxide is not the only gas that influences climate change. Methane is becoming an increasingly influential GHG that has to ability to cause severe environmental changes. Permafrost carbon is stored in permafrost over thousands of years. As permafrost begins to melt, the carbon turns into methane. The NSIDC states they estimate that there is 1,400 gigatons of carbon frozen in the permafrost. Permafrost continuing to melt in the Arctic will release more methane into the atmosphere and increase global warming. In my curriculum, I will first address what methanogenesis is. Then I will explain the process of permafrost melting using images and diagrams. I will address how methane released into the atmosphere has the potential to be an important driver to climate change.

Reader’s Profile: I imagine the reader being an uninterested student. The student might feel overwhelmed from school and does not feel like learning.

Reader’s Response: I do not understand how and why this would apply to me. I wish there was a fascinating video that would help me to pay attention to the material. Is this a new process happening or has it always been going on? I also need more clarification how carbon dioxide is involved.

B -- One of your key descriptions/definitions will be to explain GGH and Global Warming Potential. This way, you show the reader how methane is of such concern, not just by sheer volume held in permafrost but also by the forcing quality of CH3 in stratospheric atmospheric chemistry.

I suspect that most AP bio students, despite being overwhelmed and burned out, are willing to learn from this unit. You may need to think about how to help them act, in the face of another really hard environmental problem.

What does Bill Nye say? Look up this charismatic and encouraging scientist who is quite effective in science communication: http://katharinehayhoe.com