Unit D: Investigating Matter and Energy in Environmental Systems

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.

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

What is the nitrogen cycle? How do human activities such as using fertilizer affect the nitrogen cycle? How can this cause greenhouse gases?

14 images of some plants such as carrots, cabbage and leeks whose roots, stems or leaves are used for food

Learn about two taxonomy systems that scientists use to classify the life around us.

Cloning makes it possible to bring extinct species back to life. But is that a good idea?

10 images of some cold-blooded vertebrates such as snakes, lizards and alligators typically having dry, scaly skin

The ocean is full of very small but very useful creatures called microbes. Without them, none of the sea plants or animals you’ve seen would exist!

A study on bird feeders and beak sizes shows how an everyday human activity can affect the evolution of another species.

9 images of plants in some large naturally occuring habitats called biomes such as tundra, grasslands and boreal forests

6 images of some seedlings sprouting as one of the stages towards full plant growth

10 images showing some stages of plant growth from planting to sprouts growing to harvesting

8 images representing some of the needs of plants for healthy growth such as water, nutrients and light

12 images of some major parts of plants such as stems, roots, flowers and leaves