Global Climate Change
"The Earth's climate is changing. In most places, average temperatures are rising. Scientists have observed a warming trend beginning around the late 1800s. The most rapid warming has occurred in recent decades. Most of this warming is very likely the result of human activities.
Climate change can have broad effects on biodiversity (the numbers and variety of plant and animal species in a particular location). Although species have adapted to environmental change for millions of years, a quickly changing climate could require adaptation on larger and faster scales than in the past. Those species that cannot adapt are at risk of extinction. Even the loss of a single species can have cascading effects because organisms are connected through food webs and other interactions." - United States Environmental Protection Agency We can all do our part to help to reduce our impact on global warming and climate change. Check out the links below to find out what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint to help both people and wildlife.
Polar Bears International
Find out about the Project Polar Bear Contest for Teens. Grand prize is a trip to Churchill, Manitoba to see polar bears in the wild!
PDZA is proud to be an Arctic Ambassador Center. These approved organizations strive for bear friendly exhibits with lots of enrichment activities to stimulate the bears to be active and content, provide leadership for carbon emission reduction in the communities, support PBI research projects to help conserve wild polar bears and play a key role in the PBI Sustainability Alliance, a front-line team helping to save polar bears in a rapidly warming Arctic.
Teacher Workshops
Climate Change Info
Environmental Protection Agency - Comprehensive information on the issues of climate change that is accessible and meaningful to all parts of society - communities, individuals, business, states, localities, and governments.
National Geographic - View short films including: "A Way Forward: Facing Climate Change", "Antarctica Ice", "Glacier Melt", "Greenhouse Gases," "Global Warming 101" and "State of Polar Bears".
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) - Check out the planet's vital signs, read recent news stories and find out about the latest energy innovations.
National Public Radio (NPR) - Play videos from Robert Krulwich's five-part cartoon series, "Global Warming: It's All About Carbon."
NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) - Arctic Theme Page - "What has been happening to polar bears in recent decades?"
Washington State Department of Ecology Clear and concise explanations of global warming, climate change and the impacts on humans and wildlife.
Download a list of Climate Change Web Resources.