Chapter 7 Lesson 6 Inquiry
Completion requirements
Inquiry
What is the
Arctic
like today?
From polar bear aggression to garbage to a scientific laboratory studying climate change, the Arctic is a changing landscape.
It is expensive and difficult to transport food and goods North. Goods are stored in big shipping containers. Then, when the products are consumed, the permafrost does not make huge landfills an easy solution. To increase space for garbage, Nunavut burns its current garbage in an incinerator. Burning garbage can release toxins into the air. Nunavut has special, expensive incinerators to reduce toxin. Sometimes, landfills such as Iqaluit's in 2014, burn out of control and air quality becomes poor. Recycling is very difficult to do in the Arctic.
As polar bears become used to humans and sea ice melts, they look in garbage dumps for food. Towns are looking at polar bear patrols so that people can walk in the town safely.
On the other hand, the Arctic has become a laboratory for scientists to study the environment in detail.
Another development in the Arctic is that Canada has become the third largest exporter of diamonds in the world. Beginning in 1991, Canada has opened eight diamond mines in the Arctic region.
One thing is certain, the Arctic will continue to change in the future.
It is expensive and difficult to transport food and goods North. Goods are stored in big shipping containers. Then, when the products are consumed, the permafrost does not make huge landfills an easy solution. To increase space for garbage, Nunavut burns its current garbage in an incinerator. Burning garbage can release toxins into the air. Nunavut has special, expensive incinerators to reduce toxin. Sometimes, landfills such as Iqaluit's in 2014, burn out of control and air quality becomes poor. Recycling is very difficult to do in the Arctic.
As polar bears become used to humans and sea ice melts, they look in garbage dumps for food. Towns are looking at polar bear patrols so that people can walk in the town safely.
On the other hand, the Arctic has become a laboratory for scientists to study the environment in detail.
Another development in the Arctic is that Canada has become the third largest exporter of diamonds in the world. Beginning in 1991, Canada has opened eight diamond mines in the Arctic region.
One thing is certain, the Arctic will continue to change in the future.
Resources for Inquiry
Resources for Inquiry
- Textbook
- Read pages 207 - 213.
- Websites
Growing Polar Bear Problem: CBC
Nasa's Arctic Animals: Climate Kids
Canadian Diamond Mining
Notebook
When you feel confident about the information you explored in this inquiry, complete the Unit 7-3 Assessment on the following page.