Acid test: The Global Challenge of Ocean Acidification

Taken from the Natural Resources Defense Council website

"ACID TEST, a film produced by NRDC, was made to raise awareness about the largely unknown problem of ocean acidification, which poses a fundamental challenge to life in the seas and the health of the entire planet. Like global warming, ocean acidification stems from the increase of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere since the start of the Industrial Revolution."

This like other excellent uTube clips tells a story that needs to be heard! Can it translate to action?

It is up to us to reduce our consumption, help others to understand, become an example that others can follow and make our voices heard.

The clip above will assist teachers choosing to use the AUSMEPA online Climate Change and Coral Bleaching unit of work

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Ocean Defense provides excellent information and this talk is well worth watching!

We can help to stop this great diffuse aquatic garbage dump from growing. Adaptability and innovation are characteristics that made humans successful as a species. It's time to use both our brain and our brawn to accept responsibility for our own actions and clean up our mess.

Think: how can I reduce my consumption by 10% and reduce waste that can find it's way into the ocean

Ask: shop with the 'no plastic' option in mind and ask retailers to review their policies

Do: pick up and properly dispose of rubbish that has escaped into the environment and voice your concern to your politicians, media and community.

Teachers can find a free online unit of work that may assist your workplanning. It is Marine Stormwater Pollution at AUSMEPA www.ausmepa.org.au/marine-conservation-education-for-schools.htm

Mother Earth

Mother Earth
Source: www.youtube.com
A video about Mother Planet Earth by OneEarth.Org

Is the climate changing? Watch for yourselves -- ClimateWatch

The first project of its kind in the southern hemisphere, ClimateWatch allows the community at large to get hands-on in the science of understanding climate change through simple observation of the world around them.

ClimateWatch is a monitoring program being opened up to Australians so that they can be involved in collecting and recording data to help shape the country’s scientific response to climate change.

There is an urgent need for large scale data harvesting to evaluate how natural systems are responding to climate change. There are 2 marine species nominated. The photos are taken from the website to illustrate.

One of those is the Blue Mosaic jelly or Blue Blubber,Catostylus mosaicus (above).The other is the Blue Bottle Jellyfish, Physalia utriculus, a siphonophore. Personally I can't think of a better excuse to go for a walk than to assist in this project. How easy is that? If you see either of these animals make a note and record it on the website. You will find that you educate yourself as you contribute and communicate. Find out more about the project...

www.climatewatch.org.au/about/what_is_cw.aspx

NOTE: ClimateWatch was developed by Earthwatch Australia, with the support of the Bureau of Meteorology, Land and Water Australia, The University of Melbourne, corporate and government partners, and scientific collaborators.

"How We Know What We Know: Looking at Climate Change Through Polar Science"

Friday 16 October 2009 - 9 am Alaska Daylight Time.

To join you must register online at PolarTREC. Once registered an email is sent out and downloads will be available on the website. If you can't join you should have a look at the IPY Polar Week classroom activities

Contact: info@polartrec.com
http://www.polartrec.com

What are Live events?
* These are real-time, interactive events that utilize the Internet
and phone for presentations.
* These events allow participants to learn about the research being
conducted in the polar regions.
* Events are free to the public and at minimum require a phone or
Internet access.

NOTE: To see what that time is where you live visit World Clock
For Australians(Qld)this is 3pm Sat 17th October