New Zealand Scientists are asking kids to join them in monitoring carbon emissions.
The task for kiwi kids is to collect samples of grass for 10 weeks from within their neighbourhood bubble. They then need to be stored in the freezer.
The collection of grass is to help measure changes to fossil fuel levels during and after lockdown.
The project is called The Great Greenhouse Gas Grass Off and is run radiocarbon scientist Jocelyn Turnbull.
The plan is that radiocarbon experts at GNS Science will be able to work out the level of fossil fuels – or carbon dioxide – in each grass sample.
Turnbull says that grass is an effective way of studying rapid changes to CO2 levels because it grows so quickly.
She said plants take in CO2 during the process of photosynthesis and so can provide a reliable record for studying levels of fossil fuels over time.
Children, families, or close bubbles taking part should collect grass from the same spot.
They should take the first sample now, then another tomorrow, then weekly for eight more weeks.
Kids that live in the inner city, near a park, shopping centre, motorway or a busy road are especially encouraged to take part as these are likely to show the largest changes in CO2 levels.
2 Responses
What do the students do with the grass after they have frozen it?
I don’t know?