Download SJ Org. 1 Ann Global Warming in the Arctic x

MY SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUE:
My Social Justice Issue is Global Warming affecting the Arctic (Animals, Habitats, Sea
Water, etc.). I didn’t narrow this issue down because to me the issue itself is very important to
me and you will see why through the rest of the work I will be doing or have done.
Global Warming is causing many problems to the Arctic such as: Habitats being
destroyed, animals becoming endangered, and glaciers melting which then cause sea levels to
rise. All of this is happening because of us, humans, are doing a poor of taking care of the
environment and/or not even caring if about what happens to the environment.
All of this will affect us in the end especially if sea levels continue to rise because the
seawater from the ocean could mix in with our drinking water so we wouldn’t have any water
to drink. It could eventually flood cities if we continue to cause damage to our environment.
Why this is a Social Justice Issue:
Global Warming in the Arctic is a Social Justice issue because the definition of Social
Justice is that people are able to fulfil their full potential with the proper resources and this
shouldn’t apply to humans, but animals too. Not only do we inhabit the earth, but animals do
too, and they should have the right of meeting their full potential too.
Except, some animals can’t do that because their home is being destroyed by us
humans. Also, this is a Social Justice issue because it is not affecting the lifestyles of animals,
but us humans too. The problems that are happening in the Arctic right now (e.g. Glaciers
melting, animals becoming endangered, sea levels rising, etc.), are affecting humans because
what we’re doing right now to the environment is causing the earth to heat up which could
later on cause sea levels to rise faster and flood developed countries.
Why this issue is important to me:
My Social Justice Issue, Global Warming affecting the Arctic, is important to me
because I choose an issue that I had prior knowledge on since last year I did a science project
on Global Warming and through that experience I learned that there are many factors that
affect Global Warming, but the biggest factor that impacts this issue is humans. Humans are
the cause of Global Warming, and then Global Warming then affects the Arctic which then
could or will affect us if we don’t find a way to decrease it and eventually stop it. Also, I choose
this issue because I’m interested in the topic Global Warming and I’m passionate about
animals and water.
When I was thinking about Global Warming I thought about the Arctic because Global
Warming is affecting the Arctic so much (explained above) that I wanted to raise awareness
for people to realize that whatever happens in the Arctic will eventually affect us if we don’t
put a stop to it.
Important Facts about my issue:
 Global Warming is caused by Greenhouse gases
 Scientists now believe Global Warming is caused by humans.
 Arctic animals cannot hunt for food because glaciers are melting and there is hardly
any snow in the Arctic.
 Past the 30 years, the Arctic has warmed twice as much than any place on earth.
 In those 30 years, the amount of ice in the Arctic has decreased by 20% in September.
 The Arctic is an important region on earth because the Arctic acts as a cooler for the
rest of the world. “The Arctic region gives off more heat to space than it absorbs from
outside, which helps cool the planet. So changes in the Arctic climate could affect the
climate in the rest of the world.” (National Snow & Ice Data Center).
 In the Arctic, as temperatures start to increase glaciers in the Arctic begin to melt and
as more glaciers melt, areas dark open water are discovered and this is a problem
because those areas of dark open water can absorb heat from the sun which adds more
warmth to the Arctic (the Albedo Effect).
 The changes in the Arctic has caused severe weather in other places around the world
 The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said there is a 90%
possibility that human activities have been the cause of climate change since mid-1900s
 The current ice melting in the Arctic is a home to many species living in the Arctic.
 Many animals living in the Arctic are now being endangered because of climate
change or they are/will change their behaviour (they act/react to certain things).
 Since 1970’s, Arctic sea ice has declined by 14%.
 Scientists say by 2040, Arctic sea ice will be only on northern coast of Canada and
Greenland.
 By 2080, scientists predict that Arctic sea ice will completely melt away.
 If Arctic sea ice continues to melt at the rate its going at then the polar bears could be
abolished by the end of the 21st century.
 If glaciers continue to melt at the same rate its melting at now then it cause sea levels to
rise even more “1 metre Expected rise in sea level by 2100, due to melting ice” (WWF).
 The Arctic is not a home to animals, but to about 4 000 000 Inuit people too.
Websites about my issue: (Organizations that are making change)
WWF Global
HTTP://WWF.PANDA.ORG/WHAT_WE_DO/WHERE_WE_WORK/ARCTIC
WWF is an environmental non-profit organization that wants to help save and restore
the environment. The WWF makes sure that there isn’t any destruction to the earth’s eco-
system and makes sure the production of renewable energy is continuous. How WWF achieves
the goals that they strive for they partner up with other business/organizations and they have
their own website which helps raise awareness about their issues.
Polar Bears International
HTTP://WWW.POLARBEARSINTERNATIONAL.ORG/ABOUT-POLAR-BEARS/GLOBAL-WARMING
Polar Bears International is a non-profit organization and their goal is to protect and
save polar bears due to climate change and the causes from ships sailing through their habitat.
How PBI accomplishes their goal is by partnering up with companies or other organizations
that are also about saving and protecting endangered polar bears.
The David Suzuki Foundation
HTTP://DAVIDSUZUKI.ORG/BLOGS/SCIENCE-MATTERS/2013/01/THE-BAFFLING-RESPONSE-TO-ARCTICCLIMATE-CHANGE/
The David Suzuki Foundation is a non-profit organization that is trying to protect the
environment so later on in the future, the future generation will have a healthy and safe
environment to live in. How the foundation is trying to achieve it’s goal is by getting donations
from people since its a non-profit organization. The David Suzuki Foundation raises
awareness by having events about the topics they are trying to make change and they have
their own website where it talks about what they do and they have different blogs about the
issues they are trying to raise awareness about.
Arctic Institute of North America
HTTP://ARCTIC.UCALGARY.CA/
The Arctic Institute of North America is a highly celebrated research center located in
Whitehorse, Yukon. The Arctic Institute of North America is known for starting research
projects about biology, zoology, geology, botany, etc.
Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme
HTTP://WWW.AMAP.NO/
Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme is part of the 6 Arctic Councils. The Arctic
Monitoring and Assessment Programme works as a monitoring and assessment for the Arctic
by reporting how much pollution there is in the Arctic and the climate change problems.
(Background Information)
National Snow & Ice Data Center
HTTP://NSIDC.ORG/CRYOSPHERE/ARCTIC-METEOROLOGY/CLIMATE_CHANGE.HTML
Parliament of Canada
HTTP://WWW.PARL.GC.CA/CONTENT/LOP/RESEARCHPUBLICATIONS/PRB0804-E.HTM
The University of the Arctic
HTTP://WWW.UARCTIC.ORG/COMPACTARTICLES.ASPX?M=197
Oceans North
HTTP://OCEANSNORTH.ORG/ARCTIC-CHALLENGES
The David Suzuki Foundation
HTTP://WWW.DAVIDSUZUKI.ORG/BLOGS/SCIENCE-MATTERS/2012/10/TACKLING-CLIMATE-CHANGEOFFERS-ECONOMIC-BENEFITS/
WWF
HTTP://WWF.PANDA.ORG/WHAT_WE_DO/WHERE_WE_WORK/ARCTIC/
My top 3 ideas for how I am going raise awareness:
You can’t change something you don’t know about. Raising awareness is the first step. What
are you going to create that will help more people learn about your issue?
1. Wearing a t-shirt that promotes awareness about my issue
2. Creating posters and putting them around the school or areas that are visited by many
people
3. Having an ad/slogan written on a car OR partnering up with a organization that is
trying to make change in the Arctic and helping them raise awareness about what they
do by having me telling the school about what they do.
My top 3 ideas for how I am going to create change:
1. Wearing a t-shirt or anything someone can wear that promotes awareness about my
issue by having a slogan on the clothing.
 I could make a couple types of clothing (shirts, hats, or jackets) with slogans
about my issue on them and then sell them and with the money I make I can
donate the money to organizations that are helping animals in the Arctic.
2. Creating posters and putting them around the school and local public areas
3. Having a bake sale (or anything food related), at a walk-a-thon that raises awareness
about my issue and raises money too. With the money the walk-a-thon raises I could
donate to organizations that are helping animals in the Arctic.