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