Canada and the Global Environment · Term 3

The Great Lakes and Water Security: Management

A case study on the management of the world's largest freshwater system.

About This Topic

Climate Change in the Arctic investigates the disproportionate impact of global warming on Canada's Northern regions and the people who live there. Students explore how the Arctic is warming at more than twice the global average, leading to the melting of sea ice and permafrost. This topic is essential for understanding the urgent reality of climate change and its impact on Canadian sovereignty and Indigenous ways of life.

Students will investigate the implications of an ice-free Northwest Passage and the potential for increased shipping and resource extraction in the North. They will also look at how Inuit Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is being used alongside Western science to understand and adapt to these changes. This topic comes alive when students can use satellite data and personal accounts to witness the changes in the Arctic and participate in collaborative investigations to propose adaptation strategies.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: Melting Permafrost

In small groups, students research how the melting of permafrost is affecting infrastructure (like roads and buildings) and the environment (like releasing methane) in Northern communities. They must propose one way to adapt to these changes.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

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Gallery Walk: The Changing Arctic Landscape

Display 'before and after' satellite images of Arctic sea ice and glaciers. Students use a 'cause and effect' chart to trace how the loss of ice affects everything from polar bear hunting to global sea levels.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: Two Ways of Knowing

Students read a short example of how Inuit hunters' observations (TEK) helped scientists understand changes in animal behavior. They pair up to discuss why it's important to use both traditional knowledge and modern science to study climate change.

⏱ 30 min·Pairs

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Climate change in the Arctic only affects the people and animals who live there.

What to Teach Instead

Changes in the Arctic have a 'feedback' effect that impacts the entire planet, such as by changing ocean currents and accelerating global warming. Using a 'global feedback loop' model can help students see the interconnectedness of the climate system.

Common Misconception

The Northwest Passage being open is purely a 'good thing' for trade.

What to Teach Instead

While it might shorten shipping routes, it also brings risks of oil spills in a fragile environment and challenges to Canadian sovereignty and security. A 'risks vs. rewards' chart can help students see the complexity of an ice-free North.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Arctic warming faster than the rest of the world?

This is due to a process called 'Arctic amplification.' As white ice melts, it reveals darker ocean water, which absorbs more heat from the sun instead of reflecting it. This extra heat causes even more ice to melt, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of warming.

How does melting sea ice affect Inuit communities?

Sea ice is essential for Inuit travel and traditional hunting of animals like seals and walruses. As the ice becomes thinner and less predictable, it makes hunting more dangerous and threatens the food security and cultural traditions of Northern communities.

What is Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)?

TEK is the deep, cumulative body of knowledge, practice, and belief about the environment that has been handed down through generations of Indigenous peoples. In the Arctic, it provides vital long-term data on weather patterns, animal migrations, and ice conditions.

How can active learning help students understand Arctic climate change?

Active learning, such as analyzing satellite imagery or investigating permafrost melt, helps students see the 'evidence' of climate change for themselves. By engaging with both scientific data and Indigenous perspectives, they develop a more holistic and urgent understanding of the crisis and the need for collaborative solutions.

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