INTRODUCTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT 1

SECTION 1 THE HYDROSPHERE 4

1.1 The Hydrosphere and Cryosphere 4

1.2 The Water Cycle 5

KIT 1 THE HYDROSPHERE 7

Experiment 1 Water Testing 7

Experiment 2 How Water Reaches Plants 10

Experiment 3 Water Turbines - Hydropower 11

Experiment 4 Creating a Cloud in a Bottle 12

SECTION 2 THE ATMOSPHERE AND LITHOSPHERE 13

2.1 What is the Atmosphere? 13

2.2 Parts of the Atmosphere 14

2.3 What is the Lithosphere? 15

2.4 Components of the Lithosphere 16

KIT 2 THE ATMOSPHERE AND LITHOSPHERE 17

Experiment 1 Different Layers of Soil 17

Experiment 2 Proof that Soil Contains Air 18

Experiment 3 Soil Decomposition 19

Experiment 4 Test for the Presence of Oxygen in the Air 20

Experiment 5 Windmills 21

SECTION 3 THE BIOSPHERE 22

3.1 What is the Biosphere? 22

3.2 Origin and Extent of the Biosphere 23

3.3 Uses and Biosphere Reserves 24

KIT 3 THE BIOSPHERE 25

Experiment 1 Chlorophyll Extraction 25

Experiment 2 Demonstrating Leaf Wilting 27

Experiment 3 Is Yeast Part of the Biosphere? 28

SECTION 4 CLIMATE CHANGE 30

4.1 The Origin of Climate Change 30

4.2 What is Climate Change? 30

4.3 Causes of Climate Change 30

4.4 The Greenhouse Effect 31

4.5 Global Warming 32

4.6 Ozone Layer Depletion 34

4.7 Impacts of Climate Change 35

KIT 4 CLIMATE CHANGE 36

Experiment 1 Demonstration of the Greenhouse Effect 36

Experiment 2 Air Pollution Catcher 38

Experiment 3 Demonstration of Rising Sea Levels 39

Experiment 4 Impact of Ocean Acidification 40

Akshara Ganesh has nurtured a deep passion for science and nature since childhood. As an enthusiastic advocate for the environment, she has been an active participant in several beach cleanups and tree plantation drives. In recent years, she has organised science camps for children to ignite their curiosity about the natural world through hands-on experience.

Aside from her conservation efforts, she is also a proficient piano player, a badminton enthusiast and has won multiple awards at Model United Nations conferences.

Her relentless quest to understand the "why, what, and how" of the environment has always fuelled her love for experiments and scientific inquiry. Through this book, Akshara hopes to spread awareness about the consequences of climate change, while instilling a deep interest in science.