This resource clearly shows where most nitrous oxide emissions come from and how those emissions changed over time.
The data can be viewed as an animated chart, static chart, or table.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should know how to read a line graph.
Teachers may need to introduce students to the term fugitive emissions.
Students may need some background information about nitrous oxide as a greenhouse gas and an unregulated ozone-depleting substance.
Differentiation
Cross-curricular connections could be made with chemistry classes by exploring the chemical properties of nitrous oxide that make it a potent greenhouse gas and an ozone-depleting substance.
Students can further research nitrous oxide using these questions as a guide:
How potent is nitrous oxide as a greenhouse gas?
How is nitrous oxide released from fertilizer and waste lagoons?
How does fertilizer use contribute to eutrophication and affect water ecosystems?
How important is nitrous oxide as an ozone-damaging gas?
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.