Unit 5: The atmosphere and the Environment

Carbon dioxide is an important part of the air on Earth and in space. What is carbon dioxide? How is it measured? How can it affect us mentally and physically?

Tornadoes are a common extreme weather phenomenon in Canada. How are they formed? How can you stay safe? And what is a storm chaser?

Learn about the wide variety of fuels used in vehicles.

Hurricanes are a kind of tropical cyclone. But where do they come from? And why do they cause so much damage? This article will answer all your storm-related questions!

Acid rain is any precipitation that has an unusually low pH. It can be rain, snow, fog, etc. But what is a low pH and why is this a problem?

Oceans absorb the greatest amount of solar radiation on Earth. Ocean warming can lead to glaciers melting and ocean acidification.

Explore the greenhouse effect and learn about the impacts it can have on the environment.

5 images of cumulus clouds that are white, puffy clouds with a flat base at mid level and are often associated with fair weather

10 images of some snowflake crystals and some winter scenes with snow

5 images of stratus clouds that cover a wide horizontal layer in the sky at low level and are often associated with rain or drizzle

Can carbon offsets help you reduce your environmental footprint, practice sustainable living and fight climate change?

This backgrounder explains what greenhouse gases are and how they contribute to climate change.

Learn about the chemical reaction that happens between acid rain and limestone.

Biofuels like ethanol might help fight climate change. But they can contribute to food insecurity and greenhouse gases in ways that might surprise you.

These two “point-counterpoint” videos provide arguments for and against using nuclear energy to generate electricity.