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Your Study Resources: Module 4

CLIMATE & ECOSYSTEMS

Introduction to Biomes
http://curriculum.calstatela.edu/courses/builders/lessons/less/biomes/introbiomes.html
Information about biomes, plants, animals, and climate.

The World's Biomes
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/biome/
Another great overview of the biomes.

Wild Lands: Frozen Ground in the Arctic
http://alaska.fws.gov/nwr/arctic/permpics.htm
Excellent permafrost pictures and explanations. Check out the animation showcasing how permafrost features are created at http://alaska.fws.gov/nwr/arctic/permcycl.htm

Arctic Tundra - One Small Square by Donald Silver. Factual book filled with fun experiments and activities for children aged six and up.

Sea level: Ice Volume Changes
http://oceandrilling.coe.tamu.edu/curriculum/Sea_Level/Ice_Volume/teachers_notes.html
Experiments to demonstrate how the melting of the Greenland ice cap will affect sea level rise.

Sea Ice Index
http://nsidc.org/data/seaice_index/interpretation.html
Everything you want to know about sea ice and more.

Carbon Roulette: Loss of Carbon Sinks and Positive Feedback
http://www.ecobridge.org/content/g_fbk.htm
A description of effects from feedback loops.

Atlas of the Cryosphere
http://nsidc.org/data/atlas
A new online map server application that allows visitors to explore and dynamically map the Earth's frozen regions.

ME AND MY HABITAT!

Arctic Adventure
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer/0211/games/game.cgi
Play this informative game about Arctic adaptations created by National Geographic.

Trek Through Arctic Oasis
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/fun/arctic_flash.html
Discover the marine mammals that make it possible for Arctic peoples to live in the Arctic.

Animal Guide
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/animal.html
Incredible resource from PBS, check out animal adaptations from around the world!

Human Adaptation in the Arctic Environment
http://scaa.usask.ca/gallery/northern/content?pg=ex02-1
A comprehensive article from the Northern Research Portal

Marine Mammal Food Chains
http://www.cine.mcgill.ca/chains1.htm
Select an animal and learn what it eats. Great information
about the cultural benefits of these animals as well.

Walrus information from Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walrus
Learn everything you wanted to know about walruses and more!

WWF - Polar Bears, walrus and people try to coexist (PDF, 208KB) >>

Change the World!
http://www.gopetition.com/howtowriteapetition.php
Learn more about petition writing and how to use petitions to "change the world."

Kyoto Protocol
http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php
Read the introduction to the Kyoto Protocol.

WWF - Witnessing climate chane in Russia's Far East (PDF, 284KB) >>

CLIMATE CHANGE

Crane Cam
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/cranecam/video3.html

International Crane Foundation
http://www.savingcranes.org
Cranes, cranes, cranes everywhere and great resources. Check out the page specific to sandhill cranes for facts and free images. The crane calls included in this activity originate from this page.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/
All about birds. Search for specific birds and their migration routes.

Canary in the Coal Mine
http://www.pbs.org/saf/1404/video/watchonline.htm
Movie to learn more about how birds are indicating climate change from Scientific American Frontiers.

CASE STUDY: FACT FINDER

Canadian Muskox Fact Sheet
http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=95 Muskox
Excellent fact sheet on Canadian muskox from Hinterland's Who is Who. The source of the movie used in this activity.

Muskoxen: a Relic of the Pleistocene
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0204/feature4/
A National Geographic article on Muskoxen.

Muskox Farm Web Cam
http://www.wasillachamber.org/webcams/Muskox_frameset.html
From Wasilla in Palmer, Alaska.

Bering Climate and Ecosystem
http://www.beringclimate.noaa.gov
This great site from NOAA has lots of datasets and excellent essays to expand.

Honda Civic
http://www.polarhusky.com/2006/media/movies/week10/hondacivichybrid.mov
Commercial for hybrid car.

Prius
http://www.polarhusky.com/2006/media/movies/week10/prius60s.mov
Commercial for the gas-electric hybrid car.

Sinergy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU_rADV2Br
A Hybrid Commercial for sinergy car.

Fuel Cell motorcycle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buNjfuVicyo
ENV Motorcycle Commercial for fuel cell Motorcycle.

Two great Storyboard resources that outline a step-by-step guide
http://www.adobe.com/education/digkids/lessons/storyboards.html
Adobe (PC and MAC users)
http://ali.apple.com/ali_sites/ali/exhibits/1000882/
iLife (MACusers)

CAST STUDY: THINK GLOBAL

Join the virtual Global Warming March
http://stopglobalwarming.org
Sign up today!

Get your mayor to sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/mayor/climate/default.htm#what
Mayors from around the country are taking lead to adhere to the guidelines laid out by the Kyoto Protocol.

Tell your representatives climate protection is important to you.
To find your state senator and state representatives contact information:
http://dfind.leg.wa.gov/dfinder.cfm
Your elected officials make critical decisions in your name that either hurt or help the fight against global warming. In the U.S. Congress and in the statehouse, your representatives need to hear that you want action!

Test your Energy IQ.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/everyday/greenhouse/main.html
Take a virtual walk through a house to learn more about simple choices that can conserve energy, save money and ultimately reduce carbon emissions.

Calculate your carbon footprint.
http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/carboncalculator/
Use this simple web-based formula to understand how much your lifestyle is contributing to world-wide carbon emissions.

Green your school.
http://www.greeningschools.org/resources/admin.cfm
What is your school doing to reduce carbon emissions? Use this list to find ways in which you can conserve right at your very own school.

CASE STUDY