Science·Polar Regions·conceptual
Climate Change at the Poles
Understand how climate change is affecting polar regions — Arctic sea ice is shrinking dramatically (losing about 13% per decade since 1979), the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are losing mass and contributing to sea level rise, permafrost is thawing and releasing methane (a powerful greenhouse gas), and these changes create positive feedback loops where melting leads to more warming which leads to more melting
Suggested ages 9–11
Evidence of understanding
- State that Arctic sea ice has been declining at roughly 13% per decade since 1979
- Explain the positive feedback loop: warming → ice melts → dark ocean absorbs more heat → more warming → more melting
- Describe at least two consequences of polar ice loss: sea level rise and permafrost thawing releasing methane
Assessment prompt
Can Climate Change at the Poles explain how climate change is melting polar ice — that Arctic sea ice is shrinking, ice sheets are losing mass, and that melting actually makes more melting happen in a vicious cycle?
Standards alignment
No external standards are linked to this topic.