Why the Arctic Is Climate Change's Canary in the Coal Mine

• This video and article explains how melting ice and warming temperatures in the Arctic are often an early indicator for impacts elsewhere. 
• Students will learn about positive and negative feedback loops, the albedo effect, and what melting ice in the Arctic means for the global climate. 

Positives

• The animated video is engaging and easy to understand.
• The interactive questions reinforce key ideas and are a great way for students to independently check their understanding. 

Additional Prerequisites

• An ad plays before the video.
• A TED-Ed account is needed to access the interactive questions and use the discussion feature; accounts are free but students must be 13 or older to register. 

Differentiation

• Science classes could use this resource as a introduction to reflectivity, feedback loops, the albedo effect, equilibrium, or homeostasis. 
• As an extension activity, have students research examples of other feedback loops that impact climate change and present their findings. 
• Other related resources include this lesson on feedback loops, this article about feedback loops fueling wildfires, and this video about how a warmer Arctic will intensify global warming.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.