Antarctica is losing ice at an accelerating rate. How much will sea levels rise?
William Brangham, Mike Fritz, Emily Carpeaux, PBS News Hour
This video explains how scientists measure ice melt in Antarctica, the conditions of the ice sheet in Antarctica, and how that melting ice can contribute to sea level rise and affect communities all over the world.
The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.
Consider using this video to introduce key concepts in the effects of climate change. Challenge students to categorize the information presented into groups such as physical, social, and biological effects of climate change. Students may also benefit from organizing the content into claim-evidence-reasoning worksheets.
This video is meant to raise alarm. Discussing this as a class along with how and why this type of communication is or is not effective may be helpful.
A possible extension is to explore the state of the science related to how ice sheet dynamics have changed since 2019.
This video from PBS News Hour describes how scientists from the USA, UK, and Ukraine are using technology (satellite images, predictive computational models and simulations, ice-cores) to measure and model ice melt in Antarctica. The researchers explain how ice melt and thermal expansion can lead to significant amounts of sea level rise, and highlight how this change in sea level may lead to mass migrations and many climate refugees. Concepts of climate change are mentioned and the interviewer is careful to use scientifically accurate information to discuss the responsibility of climate change to melting ice. Proximities are often used to describes the size of glaciers and the average rate of melting.
This video accurately shows ice loss in Antarctica. While it doesn't offer much data, several experts describe their work to give this story from PBS News Hour credibility. This can give students knowledge of the scientific processes.
Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
This video provides an engaging assortment of images, simulations, and interviews in a logical order to support student understanding of the material. No activity or teacher's guide is associated with the material and it requires no specific knowledge or prerequisites of climate change or sea level rise.
This video is very focused on the threat of losing Antarctic sea ice due to climate change. The scientists interviewed discuss how much harm this could cause and urge action. However, exactly what that action should be isn't discussed. Consequently, this video could leave students feeling scared or hopeless. To avoid this, teachers should consider what additional information and resources could be presented to help students consider pathways to action, solutions, and positive outcomes.
An internet connection is needed to view this video.
