Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 1
CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREEN ECONOMY
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CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREEN ECONOMY
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Science
Class: JHS 1
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 11
Grade code: B7.5.4.1.1
Strand code: 5
Sub-strand code: 4
Content standard code: B7.5.4.1
Indicator code: B7.5.4.1.1
Theme: HUMANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Subtheme: CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREEN ECONOMY
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Grade: JHS1 Overview and Learning Objectives Overview (Why this matters) Climate change is already affecting Ghana through higher temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, flooding in cities (e.g., Accra/Kumasi), drought in some northern areas, and coastal erosion. These changes affect food production, health, water supply, electricity (hydropower), and jobs. A green economy means growing Ghana’s economy in ways that protect the environment, reduce pollution, and create decent jobs (e.g., solar installation, waste recycling, tree planting, clean cooking).
A. Climate Change Climate is the average weather conditions of a place over a long time (about 30 years). Climate change is a long-term change in temperature, rainfall patterns, wind, and extreme events.
Main causes (human activities): Burning fossil fuels (petrol, diesel, coal) → releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) Cutting down forests (deforestation) → fewer trees to absorb CO₂ Some farming practices (e.g., livestock) → releases methane (CH₄) Burning rubbish and bushfires → releases CO₂ and other pollutants B. Greenhouse Effect (How warming happens) The greenhouse effect is the warming of Earth because some gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
Step-by-step explanation: The Sun’s energy reaches Earth as light. Earth absorbs some energy and then releases some back as heat (infrared radiation). Greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, water vapour, nitrous oxide) trap part of this heat. Trapped heat increases the average temperature → global warming. More greenhouse gases = stronger greenhouse effect = more warming.
Important note: The greenhouse effect is natural and necessary for life, but human activities are increasing greenhouse gases, making it too strong. C. Effects of Climate Change (Ghana examples) Unpredictable rainfall → crop failure (maize, rice, vegetables) Flooding (poor drainage + heavy rains) → property damage, disease outbreaks Higher temperatures → heat stress, reduced productivity Reduced water levels in rivers/dams → affects hydropower (electricity supply) Coastal erosion and sea level rise → affects communities along the coast (e.g., Keta) D. Sustainability Sustainability means meeting our needs today without destroying the ability of future generations to meet theirs.