Carbon Tree

As the world is facing serious challenges caused by the continuously increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, we are required to understand and become aware of our possibilities of trying to reduce the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases and especially carbon dioxide (CO2). It has been estimated that the increasing levels of greenhouse gas emissions will drastically speed up global warming, which clearly influences the climate, the biodiversity, and the ecosystems of our planet. Global warming has already been causing, for example, sea level rise and extreme weather conditions in different parts of the world.

This activity aims at raising pupils' awareness on the process of carbon fixation in forests. However, before starting, pupils should be introduced to the process of photosynthesis and the importance of forests in the process of reducing the atmospheric concentration of CO2. In this activity, pupils will learn about the impact of climate change and global warming on the carbon cycle of forests, what is meant by the term carbon footprint, and how the carbon footprint can be reduced.

The activity consists of four parts of which all include detailed research questions and instructions. However, the activity can be modified according to the pupils' background knowledge and skills. The specific instructions can be left out in order for pupils to design and construct their own research questions.

• In the first part, Activity 1., pupils use the Carbon Tree simulation (http://www.carbontree.fi/) to study how carbon dioxide (CO2) is fixed in trees (and vegetation) through the process of photosynthesis and how the time of the year and the different weather conditions influence the rate at which CO2 is fixed. 

• In the second part of the activity, Activity 2., pupils are asked to calculate the energy required to charge their cell phone battery and the carbon dioxide emissions caused by the charging of the battery. An example of the calculations is provided. 

• In the third part of the activity, Activity 3., pupils will present their results of the calculations of Activity 2. Pupils are also asked to calculate the total carbon dioxide emissions caused by charging the cell phones of each pupil in the classroom. The term carbon footprint can be introduced and discussed. 

• The fourth part of the activity, Activity 4., involves working in groups and in collaboration with pupils' families: First, pupils are asked to investigate the use of electronic devices at home for one week. Pupils' families can also be asked to collaborate and collect data on their use of electronic devices. At school, pupils will work with the collected data and calculate the estimated amount of energy consumed by using electronic devices for one week (or one year). The energy consumption is then converted into an estimation of the amount CO2 produced per one week (or one year) per family. The result is then used to draw conclusions on how the carbon footprint can be reduced by changing the daily habits of using electronic devices. Finally, the project can be presented to the families and the other pupils of the school. The activity can be further expanded for example by interviewing the audience (pupils and teachers of the school) about their use of electronic devices and their estimations of their own carbon footprint.

Resources needed 

• Computer and internet access

• The application used in this activity is available on the Carbon Tree website: http://www.carbontree.fi/. The website is available in English, Finnish, Swedish, and Chinese.

RRI principles: Carbon tree

One of the key aspects of OSOS is the inclusion of RRI — Responsible Research and Innovation — principles (more information at RRI-Tools.eu). This is how this Accelerator fits into the RRI model:

The activity is based on Hiilipuu activity produced by Taina Ruuskanen (HIILI project; http://www.carbontree.fi/fi/mittaa-itse). The activity is adapted and translated in English for the OSOS by the coordinator of Finland (Uni. of Turku)