The Polar Ice Caps

Created by Diane McDonoughMarch 2012

What is happening to the polar ice caps?

Since 1979, the size of the summer polar ice cap

has shrunk more than 20 percent.

Why are the ice caps shrinking?

MELTING

The polar ice caps are undergoing a physical change.

MELTING

is a change in state from a solid to a liquid.

MELTINGoccurs when the the water molecules gain enough thermal energy………..

Causing them to vibrate faster which

raises their temperature.

Eventually the water molecules

Break free from their position in the the ice crystals.

The overall sea water level rises.

Walruses, seals, and polar bears are affected by the loss of the ice caps.

As a result the ice caps shrink.

The melting of the ice caps

is affecting my family.

The ice is freezing later in the fall and melting earlier in the spring

This shortens our hunting season.

Where is all the food?

The average bear’s weight has dropped 15%

Where will we go for food?

We have to swim to larger sea ice to hunt.

Which is further off the shore.

Many are unable to make the swim,

Especially the cubs.

Our population is declining!

Why is this happening to our home?

GLOBAL WARMING

The melting of the ice caps is caused by

Causes of GLOBAL WARMING

CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING

• Depletion of the ozone layer

• Production of greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide

Include the following chemical reactions

CHEMICAL REACTIONS

Occur when one substance breaks down into two or more substances

Two or more substances combine, forming one or more new substances.

OR

The Ozone Layer is a layer in the Earth’s atmosphere

that protects the Earth from the sun’s harmful ultra-violet rays.

Occurs because of a Chemical Reactions involving Chlorofluorocarbons

OZONE DEPLETION

The chemical reaction involved…….

Then…….

Finally……

Chemical reactions also produce greenhouse gases

That trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere

Sources of greenhouse gas

1.Fossil fuel2.Trees and Wood products3.Solid waste

Carbon dioxide is produced through combustion of

The chemical reaction for burning wood is

Methane is produced

• During the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil

• From livestock and other agricultural practices

• By the decay of organic waste in landfills

CO2 + 4H2 = CH4 + 2H2O

Landfill Chemical Reaction:

LIVESTOCK

• During agricultural and industrial activities• Combustion of fossil fuel

Nitrous oxide is produced

HOW CAN YOU CHANGE THE WORLD?

Stop using or reduce the use of ozone depleting chemicals

Chlorofluorocarbons, halons, methyl bromide

Plant a tree

Carbon dioxide is also removed from the atmosphere (or “sequestered”) when it is absorbed by plants as part of the biological carbon cycle.

Ride a bike, walk, or take public transportation

Drive a hybrid or more fuel efficient car

Use alternative energy sources

Use ENERGY STAR appliances and light bulbs

Turn off lights and appliances

Be part of the solution!

Presented in this content trailer is one of the theories on Global Warming.

The other theory viewed by scientists is that Global Warming is a natural phenomena that has occurred in cycles throughout Earth’s history.

Global Warming Theories

NASA Data Reveals 'Average' Ozone Hole in 2007

Music:

John Mayer: Waiting for the World to ChangeDavid Bowie: ChangesMichael Jackson: Man in the Mirror

Created by: Diane McDonough

Special thanks to Dan Williams

References

http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/qthinice.asphttp://ecocentric.blogs.time.com/2010/09/09/climate-change-a-slowdown-on-polar-melt/http://www.carbonme.org/globalwarming.phphttp://www.moreinterestingfacts.com/global-warming-factshttp://epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/index.htmlhttp://www.bom.gov.au/lam/Students_Teachers/ozanim/ozoanim.shtmlhttp://www.theozonehole.com/images/ozoned2.jpghttp://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/ChemistrySunlight/chemistry_sunlight3.phphttp://www.nwf.org/global-warming/effects-on-wildlife-and-habitat/polar-bears.aspx