Polar Science Education

The charismatic narwhal is the legendary 'unicorn of the sea'. It's also thought that narwhal horns used in trade or washed up on beaches gave credence to the myth of unicorns on land.

ICE Ice rises ICE Ice rises is a climate project studying the ice rises on the surface of the Antarctic ice shelves and along the edge of the ice. The goal is to determine if, and in that case how, these "islands" affect how fast the ice is moving toward the ocean, which in turn may influence the melting process and a potential rise in sea level.

Graphic representation of current, per capita, cumulative, and intensity of carbon emissions

some resources about life on an Arctic Expedition to the Geographic North Pole via Microsoft Partners in Learning. I'd be delighted if people might like to use it :0) You'll find photo's, HD video, Power point presentation with teaching notes and a expedition life exercise book. from Antony Jinman, Polar Educator

Thanks Kathy! Great classroom resource.

"Snowpit studies provide a vital link between the modern atmosphere and the climate history reconstructed from ice cores. This video documents one of the types of measurements made in snowpits and explains how snow sampling informs ice core studies".

"In its most recent assessment of global climate change, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences concluded, "A strong body of scientific evidence shows that climate change is occurring, is caused largely by human activities, and poses significant risks for a broad range of human and natural systems." Impacts and rates of change are greatest in the Arctic, where temperatures have been increasing at about twice the global rate over the past four decades. The rapid decline in summer sea ice cover in the past decade has outpaced scientific projections and is drawing international attention to emerging commercial development and transport opportunities previously blocked by the frozen sea. The Arctic is therefore a bellwether for how climate change may reshape geopolitics in the post-Cold War era."

https://www.facebook.com/notes/landsat/most-accurate-map-of-antarcticas-landmass-made-from-landsat-data/213252075413939 "Antarctica may not be the world's largest landmass -- it's the fifth-largest continent -- but resting on top of that land is the world's largest ice sheet. That ice holds more than 60 percent of Earth's fresh water and carries the potential to significantly raise sea level. The continent is losing ice to the sea, and scientists want to know how much."

"A bay in northern Antarctica, nearest to New Zealand, the Ross Sea is home to a quarter of the world's emperor penguins, a third of all adelie penguins, all manner of seals, whales, fish and sea birds. It is, scientists like Ainley and Wilson say, the last remaining almost untouched paradise. "

Pan around the inside and outside of this historic site.

"This infographic offers a visual way to explore the various stages of the Earth's history using a 12 hour clock analogy." This is a good add-on to discussions of ice cores and the work of groups that are studying them!

"Climate Change Videos" There is a table of contents on the right side of the page. Weather Underground is the first Internet weather service, in existence since 1991. "Weather Underground is committed to delivering the most reliable, accurate weather information possible. Our state-of-the-art technology monitors conditions and forecasts for locations across the world, so you'll always find the weather information that you need."

Its construction now complete, the science instrument that is the heart of NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) spacecraft -- NASA's first mission dedicated to studying atmospheric carbon dioxide -- has left its nest at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., and has arrived at its integration and test site in Gilbert, Ariz.

"OTTAWA, April 27, 2012 /CNW/ - QUOTE FROM Peter Harrison, Chair of the IPY 2012 Montreal Conference: "I am pleased to be a part of today's announcement of the establishment of a formal international professional network of polar educators teaching in, about and for the polar regions. I regard this as a very positive action emerging from the conference, another contribution to the legacy of IPY and the future of polar research."

A Nice video from FRAM - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, on a project to measure albedo in Greenland., was spotted by my colleagues at IPF. Brings science in a very informative, clear, well shot and edited way, with good presenters:

"Q&A: carbon capture and storage How does it work, which countries are leading technological developments, and what is the future for CCS?"

The Arctic Council Indigenous Peoples' Secretariat is a support Secretariat for the International Indigenous Peoples' Organizations that have Permanent Participant status in the Arctic Council . IPS assists with creating opportunities for the Indigenous Peoples' Organizations to present their causes, and helps provide them with necessary information and materials.