IPY/NSTA Web Seminar:

Polar Climates, How Are They Changing?

LIVE INTERACTIVE LEARNING @ YOUR DESKTOP

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time

Allan Miller National Science

Foundation

Heard a little about climate Heard a little about climate change lately?change lately?

Bob Raynolds, Denver Museum

Temp and CO2 Have A Strong Relationship

How well do you think scientists can How well do you think scientists can model climate on a global scale?model climate on a global scale?

A – there are too many drivers / variables at this A – there are too many drivers / variables at this point to create any useable modelspoint to create any useable models

B – it can be modeled on a limited scale, but not with B – it can be modeled on a limited scale, but not with any accuracy on a global scaleany accuracy on a global scale

C – basic trends can be modeled accurately, but the C – basic trends can be modeled accurately, but the future is very speculativefuture is very speculative

D – basic trends, including the future, can be D – basic trends, including the future, can be modeled accurately modeled accurately

E – models are completely accurate in past modeling E – models are completely accurate in past modeling and can predict specific future occurrences and can predict specific future occurrences and timelines.and timelines.

But what about that “complex But what about that “complex climate system”?climate system”?

It is a mythIt is a myth that that globalglobal climate is too climate is too complex to be predictablecomplex to be predictable

Climate inputs: Climate inputs: – Incoming solar energyIncoming solar energy– Aerosols, snow and other reflectorsAerosols, snow and other reflectors– Greenhouse gasesGreenhouse gases

If these are known, scientists can reproduce If these are known, scientists can reproduce temperatures quite welltemperatures quite well

Time/ABC/Stanford poll (March, 2006):Time/ABC/Stanford poll (March, 2006): About 85% of Americans say global About 85% of Americans say global

warming is happening…rightwarming is happening…right But 65% think scientists disagree But 65% think scientists disagree

about globalabout global warming…warming…wrongwrong And 81% oppose higher taxes on electricity, And 81% oppose higher taxes on electricity,

68% oppose higher gasoline taxes 68% oppose higher gasoline taxes Perception and realityPerception and reality… the first step is … the first step is

admitting you have a problem… admitting you have a problem… living on a living on a fault line…fault line…

Open a web tour with Woods Hole Open a web tour with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute animations on Oceanographic Institute animations on thermohaline circulationthermohaline circulation

http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=12455&tid=282&cid=9986http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=12455&tid=282&cid=9986

?Abrupt Climate Change?

Intergenerational Intergenerational ethicsethics

IPCC SPM 2007

Keep in mind that the increase is exponential…

…half of all atmospheric CO2 was put there since about 1975…

The baby boom generation will burn nearly all of the oil and natural gas, but pay little of the environmental costs

IPYIPYIt’s not just a year

(or two), it’s a responsibility…

Blog links to classrooms and the public

Open PolarTREC Website in browserOpen PolarTREC Website in browser

www.polartrec.comwww.polartrec.com

Place a stamp in any IPY topic for which there are clear connections in your curriculum / standards

EarthEarth LandLand PeoplePeople

AtmosphereAtmosphere IceIce

IPY Topics Cover AllIPY Topics Cover All Science Content Standards Science Content Standards

Science as Inquiry-Science as Inquiry- Interpret data from an ice core Interpret data from an ice core Physical Science-Physical Science- Analyze changes in surface Analyze changes in surface

temperatures over timetemperatures over time Life Science-Life Science- Examine interdependence of polar Examine interdependence of polar

organismsorganisms Earth and Space-Earth and Space- Measure and graph ice sheet Measure and graph ice sheet

dynamics using satellite imagesdynamics using satellite images Science and Technology-Science and Technology- Explain how advances in Explain how advances in

technology have aided study of polar regionstechnology have aided study of polar regions Science in Personal and Social Perspectives-Science in Personal and Social Perspectives-

Compare the risks and benefits of polar explorationCompare the risks and benefits of polar exploration History and Nature of Science-History and Nature of Science- Examine the changes Examine the changes

in polar regions since the first IPYin polar regions since the first IPY

What is the ratio of an igloo’s What is the ratio of an igloo’s circumference to its diameter?circumference to its diameter?

http://passporttoknowledge.com

International IPY website www.ipy.org

International IPY website www.ipy.org

U.S. and NSF IPY website www.ipy.gov

Contact your own researcherContact your own researcher

Browse the NSF website awards Browse the NSF website awards database to find a researcher whose database to find a researcher whose interests match a particular curriculum interests match a particular curriculum you would like to enhanceyou would like to enhance

www.nsf.gov

Last option: come to DC and immerse Last option: come to DC and immerse yourself in science and public policyyourself in science and public policy

http://www.trianglecoalition.org/ein.htm

1 full year in DC working with NSF, NASA, NOAA, DOE or on Capitol Hill

http://www.elluminate.com

http://learningcenter.nsta.org

National Science Teachers AssociationGerry Wheeler, Executive Director

Frank Owens, Associate Executive Director Conferences and Programs

Al Byers, Assistant Executive Director e-Learning

LIVE INTERACTIVE LEARNING @ YOUR DESKTOP

NSTA Web SeminarsFlavio Mendez, Program Manager

Jeff Layman, Technical CoordinatorSusan Hurstcalderone, Volunteer Chat Moderator