After the Ice - Part 2: Our Land

Study of Environmental Arctic Change, Arctic Research Consortium of the United States

This 7-minute video illustrates how the historic homeland for Arctic Native Americans is being affected by climate change. Shorefast ice and pack ice are present for a shorter part of the year. This has profound affects on the way of life in the Bering Sea region, to the point where the community may have to relocate.

Click to View

Notes from our reviewers

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.

This video is the second of a three part series and can be used alone or in a longer unit incorporating all videos. It would fit well as an introduction to the effects of climate change and sea ice loss in Arctic communities. Teachers will need to augment the video with supporting information and activities for deeper learning. Suitable for a science class, history class, or social studies course. This video is best suited for middle school and higher but may also be used in an upper elementary class.
This video illustrates the importance of shorefast ice to buffer a coastline from storms. Pack ice is also decreasing, and the length of the ice season has become shorter. This subsequently changes how storms affect the land through increased wave action and erosion. The video also discusses the adaptation measures community members have taken, as well as the emotional impact caused by this threat to their way of life. These experiences and insights are narrated by Native community members and academic scientists. Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
A major strength of this video is the direct voices of Indigenous Alaskans as they share their perspectives about their community, landscape, and way of life. It's a powerful piece. Science is woven into the video, but it's within a storytelling framework. This is an excellent example of effective use of personal narrative to emphasize a scientific, cultural, and social issue. This video is the second in a three part series but could be watched as a standalone video. It is a high quality video with beautiful animations, and expert Native community members and scientists. It is very engaging and will attract many different learners from different grade levels and disciplines. There are no supporting materials for teachers or students. Aspects of the video are depressing, and present opportunities for students and educators to reflect on the emotional toll of climate impacts. Students could be called on to reflect on the experience of Arctic peoples and make connections to their own community's response to climate change.