Let's create continuous conversations about climate change education: Spreading the Sediment of Science!

Why Scientists Are So Worried About This Glacier

Provided by: Vox |Published on: April 27, 2021

Videos Grades 6-8, 9-12

Synopsis

This Vox video explains how the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica is falling apart, directly impacting sea level rise.
Students will learn that while the ice shelf of the Thwaites Glacier is sea ice, the glacier itself is land ice because it rests on the bedrock of the continent.
The video explains that eliminating greenhouse gas emissions could slow the glacier's collapse.

Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Geography

Authors: Vox

Region: Polar Regions

Languages: English

Positives

Prerequisites

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Students will need to understand the difference between sea ice and land ice. This lesson from ACE will teach students about both types of ice.

Differentiation & Implementation

Biology classes can learn more about the Thwaites Glacier ecosystem to find out how the disappearance of the ice shelf is impacting wildlife.
Social studies and geography classes can discuss what three meters of sea level rise would mean for coastal communities around the world. Students can discuss the following questions:
- What would happen to the people who live in coastal communities if their communities were underwater?
- If places such as Miami, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, and New York City disappear, what happens to the culture of those places?
- Do you think it is more important to invest money into preparing coastal communities for rising sea levels or to invest money into finding alternatives to fossil fuel use? Why?
Other resources on this topic include this NASA video on ice loss in Antarctica between 2002-2020, this article on the future of sea level rise, and this interactive simulation about glaciers.

Scientist Notes

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Resource Type and Format