Climate change research essay
Welcome! This guide contains useful resources to support the Climate Change Research Essay for Mr. Hemrick's Science 10 class. Annotations are from Destiny Resource Manager, or have been created with assistance from Microsoft M365 Copilot (GPT‑5 chat model), 2026. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions on how to improve this page, please email Mrs. Binning at [email protected].
This page was last updated 03/12/2026
Classroom resources
The following resources have been provided to you by Mr. Hemrick:
Carousel Notes: Natural Causes of Climate Change by M. Lundkvist
Science 10 handout on the relationship between ocean currents, water vapor, greenhouse gasses, catastrophic events (volcanic eruptions and meteorite impacts) and climate. Note: this cannot be cited as it is not a peer-reviewed source. However, it is still a very useful resource to help you get started!
Notes: Human Activity and Climate Change by M. Lundkvist
Very concise notes. Provides simple explanations of various terms and factors related to climate change. Note: this cannot be cited as it is not a peer-reviewed source. However, it is still a very useful resource to help you get started!
Note Taking Template: Natural Causes of Global Warming by Mr. Hemrick
Research note taking template with prompts to help students gather and organize information.
Causes of Climate Change Over the Past 1000 Years by Thomas J. Crowley
Explores the causes of climate change over the past 1,000 years, comparing reconstructed temperature records with climate model simulations to distinguish natural variability from human influence. Concludes that while solar and volcanic activity explain much pre‑industrial climate variation, late 20th‑century warming is best explained by greenhouse gas forcing, providing early strong evidence for anthropogenic climate change.
Introduction to Global Climate Change by the University of Maine Climate Change Institute
Explains causes for natural variations in heat and moisture on Earth and the natural factors that lead to climate change. Elaborates upon the impacts of climate change on the four major spheres of the Earth, how natural climate change affects humans and ecosystems, as well as how humans have affected climate.
A History of Climate Science by Skeptical Science
A concise, accessible overview of the historical development of climate science, tracing key discoveries from the early 19th century to modern understanding of the greenhouse effect. Highlights how scientific evidence accumulated over time to establish the role of carbon dioxide and human activity in driving contemporary climate change.
Cosmos: The World Set Free [Video] by Fox National Geographic
This 45-minute video explores the impacts of climate change and humanity’s influence on Earth’s atmosphere. Offers a hopeful vision of how science, knowledge, and collective action can help protect our home planet. Access is available on school network only.
Carousel Notes: Natural Causes of Climate Change by M. Lundkvist
Science 10 handout on the relationship between ocean currents, water vapor, greenhouse gasses, catastrophic events (volcanic eruptions and meteorite impacts) and climate. Note: this cannot be cited as it is not a peer-reviewed source. However, it is still a very useful resource to help you get started!
Notes: Human Activity and Climate Change by M. Lundkvist
Very concise notes. Provides simple explanations of various terms and factors related to climate change. Note: this cannot be cited as it is not a peer-reviewed source. However, it is still a very useful resource to help you get started!
Note Taking Template: Natural Causes of Global Warming by Mr. Hemrick
Research note taking template with prompts to help students gather and organize information.
Causes of Climate Change Over the Past 1000 Years by Thomas J. Crowley
Explores the causes of climate change over the past 1,000 years, comparing reconstructed temperature records with climate model simulations to distinguish natural variability from human influence. Concludes that while solar and volcanic activity explain much pre‑industrial climate variation, late 20th‑century warming is best explained by greenhouse gas forcing, providing early strong evidence for anthropogenic climate change.
Introduction to Global Climate Change by the University of Maine Climate Change Institute
Explains causes for natural variations in heat and moisture on Earth and the natural factors that lead to climate change. Elaborates upon the impacts of climate change on the four major spheres of the Earth, how natural climate change affects humans and ecosystems, as well as how humans have affected climate.
A History of Climate Science by Skeptical Science
A concise, accessible overview of the historical development of climate science, tracing key discoveries from the early 19th century to modern understanding of the greenhouse effect. Highlights how scientific evidence accumulated over time to establish the role of carbon dioxide and human activity in driving contemporary climate change.
Cosmos: The World Set Free [Video] by Fox National Geographic
This 45-minute video explores the impacts of climate change and humanity’s influence on Earth’s atmosphere. Offers a hopeful vision of how science, knowledge, and collective action can help protect our home planet. Access is available on school network only.
Since this is a research paper where you explore other people's ideas, you are required to cite your sources. Be sure to keep track of where you find your information!
Additional research sources
Print sources
Below are print sources that are available in the library catalogue.
12 Things to Know About Climate Change (Series: Today's Headlines)
By Vicki Hayes
Call # 551.6 HAY
This accessible nonfiction reader explores the issues surrounding climate change. Stat boxes and 'Think About It' features support critical thinking skills and encourage awareness about global issues
By Vicki Hayes
Call # 551.6 HAY
This accessible nonfiction reader explores the issues surrounding climate change. Stat boxes and 'Think About It' features support critical thinking skills and encourage awareness about global issues
Climate Change Research (Series: Inside Science)
By Charles George and Linda George
Call # 551.6 GEO
Examines the role of scientific research in advancing knowledge about climate change and discusses related technology.
By Charles George and Linda George
Call # 551.6 GEO
Examines the role of scientific research in advancing knowledge about climate change and discusses related technology.
Climate Change: A Very Short Introduction (Series: A Very Short Introduction)
By Mark Maslin
Call #551.6 MAS
Mark Maslin considers all aspects of the global climate system, exploring and explaining the different components that control climate on Earth.
By Mark Maslin
Call #551.6 MAS
Mark Maslin considers all aspects of the global climate system, exploring and explaining the different components that control climate on Earth.
Geoengineering Earth's Climate: Resetting the Thermostat
By Jennifer Swanson
Call # 551.68 SWA
This book mainly focusses on using geoengineering to combat climate change, but the first chapter contains information about the causes of climate change.
By Jennifer Swanson
Call # 551.68 SWA
This book mainly focusses on using geoengineering to combat climate change, but the first chapter contains information about the causes of climate change.
Climate: Causes and Effects of Climate Change (Series: Our Fragile Planet)
By Dana Desonie
Call # 551.DES
Explains how climate works, looks at natural and human causes of climate change, examines the effects of climate change on the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, the consequences of global warming, and considers what can be done to address the problem.
By Dana Desonie
Call # 551.DES
Explains how climate works, looks at natural and human causes of climate change, examines the effects of climate change on the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, the consequences of global warming, and considers what can be done to address the problem.
Websites Sources
WebPath Express is a safe and reliable search engine built into the library catalogue. Each site in the search engine has been reviewed by educators for accuracy and reliability. WebPath Express can be accessed through the following steps: Click here for the Library Catalogue. From the list of secondary schools, select Elgin Park, then choose Catalogue. Next, select WebPath Express from the menu on the left. Searches can be further refined by type of source, grade level, related topics and more!
Below are some suggested websites:
The Causes of Climate Change | NASA
Causes of Climate Change | United States Environmental Protection Agency
Climate 101: Cause and Effect [Video] | National Geographic Education
Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis |The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Below are some suggested websites:
The Causes of Climate Change | NASA
- Explains why Earth is warming now and shows that human activities, not natural cycles, are the main cause of recent climate change. It draws on satellite data, atmospheric measurements, and climate models.
Causes of Climate Change | United States Environmental Protection Agency
- Explains the primary causes of climate change, distinguishing between natural influences (such as volcanic activity and changes in Earth’s orbit) and the dominant role of human activities since the Industrial Revolution. Designed for a general audience, it summarizes the scientific evidence showing that recent warming cannot be explained by natural factors alone.
Climate 101: Cause and Effect [Video] | National Geographic Education
- Very short (approx. 3 minute) video that explains the causes and effects of climate change. Examines the human impact and consequences of climate change.
Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis |The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
- Considered one of the most authoritative sources on climate change, this peer-reviewed report is authored by hundreds of scientists. It is a very difficult text to read but contains exceptional level of scientific information for those students that would like to try a challenge. Chapter Two: Changing State of the Climate System examines both the natural and human‑influenced climate drivers, including solar and orbital forcing, volcanic activity, and well‑mixed greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide). Chapter Three: Human Influence on the Climate System focusses human influence on climate change.
Database sources
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Gale Science in Context: This is an excellent database for science research. Contains diverse source types, including journal articles, videos, encyclopedia and newspaper articles. If you are accessing it from home, see Mr. Hemrick or Ms. Binning for the password.
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