More mobile species

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 451.

Hurting polar bears

Polar bear cubs are struggling to swim increasingly long distances in search of stable sea ice, according to a 2011 study. The rapid loss of sea ice in the Arctic is forcing bears to sometimes swim up to more than 12 days at a time, the research found. Cubs of adult bears that had to swim more than 30 miles (48 kilometers) had a 45 percent mortality rate, compared with 18 percent for cubs that had to swim shorter distances.

Species are straying from their native habitats at an unprecedented rate: 11 miles (17.6 km) toward the poles per decade. Areas where temperature is increasing the most show the most straying by native organisms. The Cetti's warbler, for example, has moved north over the last two decades by more than 90 miles (150 km).

Correct the following statements:

1. Stray cats and kittens appear because the animals adapt to global warming by way of shortening their breeding season.
2. Increased winter snowfall in the mountains of Northern Arizona leads to exterminating elk's habitat.
3. The first flowering dates of plants in Massachusetts shifted an average of 10 days backward, which triggered the extermination of orchids.
4. The high season date in Grand Canyon shifted from 26 June to 4 July.
5. The genome of fruit flies changes to resemble that of more northern ones.
6. The mortality rate of Polar Bear cubs is growing since they have to swim shorter distances in search of stable continental ice.
7. The rate of species straying from their habitat depends on the precipitation pattern in the area.

Which if the facts do you consider the most disturbing? Why? Argument your answers.

6. Look at the mind map ‘Solving global warming'. Divide into groups according to the aspects (a) person; b) home; c) consummation (food and other products); d) transport) and extend on the point. Sum up the map as a class.

7. Use an online interactive map “Global climate change” for commenting on the changes in the world. Concentrate separately on such aspects as hotspots of influencing a) people; b) freshwater; c) oceans; d) ecosystems; e) temperatures (this may be done in separate groups to sum up as a class using the appropriate speaking strategies.

8. Let's imagine that this is a panel on climate change. Divide into two groups: a) Skeptics and b) Optimists. Using the information from the text above and the chart below, organize the discussion of the global warming issue trying to define whether it is as dramatic as it as presented by mass media. Use the strategies.