Polar News and Notes Arctic

Two upcoming web seminars from the National Science Teachers Association will focus on integrating polar science concepts into the elementary curriculum. Both seminars are led by Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears project staff and are part of the NSDL/NSTA web seminar series.
On Wednesday, October 29, Carol Landis and Jessica Fries-Gaither will present Physical Science From the […]

Did you know that polar bears are at high risk of population decline and future extinction in our warming world? Dr. Steven Amstrup, a Research Wildlife Biologist with the United States Geological Survey, discussed the status of the iconic marine mammal in the lecture, “Polar Bear: Climate Change Sentinel.” The lecture was part of the […]

Stormy weather in the Arctic may have unanticipated effects on global warming, according to a new study by NASA. Researchers were looking to confirm a theory that a warming climate could cause an increase in storminess. They now believe it may be possible that new sinks for carbon dioxide may emerge from the relationship between […]

Recently, we introduced Elaina Wahl, a Columbus, OH teen and the Columbus Zoo’s first Arctic Ambassador. We’re pleased to report that Elaina is now in Churchill, Manitoba, for Polar Bears International’s Polar Bear Leadership Camp. Elaina is meeting students from across the country, learning about polar bears and conservation, and preparing to return to Columbus as the […]

A trio of seal-sniffing dogs was featured in the September issue of Current, a monthly newsletter of the National Science Foundation. Marine biologist Brendan P. Kelly and researchers at the University of Alaska Southeast use the three Labrador retrievers to locate ringed seals in the sea ice of the far north.
Researchers are seeking to […]

Solar radiation, albedo, and the natural resources of the polar regions are all part of the newest issue of Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears: Energy and the Polar Environment. In this issue, you can:
Learn about the albedo (reflectivity) of Earth’s various surfaces and how increased melting of polar ice caps will affect Earth’s energy balance
Find […]

News from the polar regions in September included more worrisome news for Arctic sea ice, the potential role of permafrost in global warming, and new fossil discoveries in Antarctica. Missed these stories the first time? Read on!
2008 was the second-lowest year in terms of summer Arctic sea ice coverage, a continuation of an accelerated downward […]

In conjunction with Polar Bears International and in celebration of the Year of the Polar Bear, the Columbus Zoo has selected Elaina Wahl as their Arctic Ambassador. Elaina agreed to share her experiences with Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears and is today’s guest blogger!
Hi, my name is Elaina Wahl, and I’m a junior at Bishop […]

The National Ice Center reported last week that a passageway opened up due to retreating sea ice in the Arctic Ocean, rendering an open ring of potentially navigable ocean around the Arctic ice cap. According to the National Ice Center, “This is the first recorded occurrence of the Northwest Passage and Northern Sea Route both […]

News from the polar regions in August includes alarming news for Arctic sea ice, polar bears, and Greenland’s massive glaciers and insights into Antarctica’s past climate and current response to global climate change. Missed these stories the first time? Read on!
While news early in the month predicted that the 2008 Arctic sea ice minimum would […]