With continued evidence of climate change and ice melt, concerns are mounting in the scientific world. It is evident more and more every day that we must make changes on personal, corporate, and government levels to conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions. One of the more interesting suggestions to reverse climate change and stop global warming involves the launching of mirrors into space to create a “sun shade” which will reflect the sun’s rays. While this seems extreme, it is evidence that many scientists are taking the ice melt issues very seriously and brainstorming possible solutions for the future.

Scientists continue to study the ice melt at both polar regions. Louise Gray, Environmental Corrspondent with the U.K.’s Telegraph, wrote about the changing ice caps in February 2009. A related video is posted along with this article.

For now, do your part to reduce carbon emissions and encourage community leaders to do the same. Scientists believe we have only five to ten years to make a real difference in this problem, and it must be addressed on multiple levels. Even if every individual reduced their carbon footprint, it would only affect approximately 20% of the problem. We must be looking at this from a global or “earth” level, not just as individuals, countries, or continents, if we are to succeed in protecting our planet.

Photo from Reuters UK article, “Polar Regions Found Warming Fast, Raising Sea Level.”

Additional article by AFP “Scientists Find Bigger Than Expected Ice Melt”

In conjunction with this exhibit, there is also a Ning and a blog (as well as an ALI group). Through those, teachers and students can post comments, plan collaborative activities, and connect globally with schools around the world who are interested in these topics. Please know that the ALI exhibit and the connected resources are a dynamic work in progress. We are adding media and content constantly. Soon there will be photos and videos and other resources teachers can use with their students. And the blog will be very busy during the week of the videoconferences with lots of postings. Feel free to enter comments and questions for scientists on the blog (and your students may do the same)!

There are three webcasts being held live from the tundra the first week of November. During those activities, scientists working with polar bears will be sharing information live from the Hudson Bay area!

I hope you will find these resources of value in your classrooms. Please join us in this “Polar Bear Adventure!”

“Rolling on the Tundra: A Polar Bear Adventure”

The Polar Bear Ning

The ALI Group on Polar Bears

“Rolling on the Tundra, A Polar Bear Adventure” is a related exhibit on the Apple Learning Interchange that has interdisciplinary curriculum and resources for the study of polar bears, global warming, etc.

The Jane Goodall Institute and its education outreach for youth, “Roots & Shoots,” is also involved with this trip and will be hosting some of my videoconferences and curricular content. Dana Lyons, musician, is composing original music to raise awareness about polar bears, and he will be conducting a webcast from the tundra in mid-November.

Polar bears are a threatened species. Their habitat is changing quickly, and we must all work together to educate our youth, raise awareness, and promote actions that will help save the polar bears and their environment. What is happening to polar bears is symptomatic of problems being experienced in other parts of the world related to climate change. Animals are being affected in many ways globally, and we can educate youth and encourage them to become active in being good stewards of our planet, its resources, and all of its inhabitants.

Join us in the live events that will be taking place the first week of November. And watch for other ways in which you can be involved in the activities we are conducting. We will also be announcing ways that you and your students can create content that can help make a difference for the polar bears of Canada! And, we will be sharing curriculum and ideas for global ecology that will benefit our planet and all of its inhabitants.

You can find updated information and join the webinar by visiting the “Rolling on the Tundra” exhibit on the Apple Learning Interchange.

Julene Reed, Director of Academic Technology
Apple Distinguished Educator Advisory Board
Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Advisory Council
St. George’s Independent School
Collierville, TN USA