A Subsistence Culture Impacted by Climate Change

A short video on how changing climate is impacting the ecosystem and thereby impacting traditional lifestyles of the Athabaskan people of Alaska.

Go To:

http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ean08.sci.life.eco.athabaskan/

Arctic Athabaskan Council

Teachers' Domain

Notes From Our Reviewers

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Teaching Tips

Background essay on the Athabascan people and discussion questions are provided on the PBS LearningMedia site.

About the Science

Observations from scientific studies and native people of the Arctic on how changing climate is affecting their lives and the ecosystem they depend on for sustenance.

Comments from expert scientist:

Scientific strengths:

I think the background essay is great and has significant science. The video is interesting, but doesn't match the essay.

- the background essay clearly states the reason why salmon are migrating and the effects on the native people and other native animals in the Alaska/Yukon area

Notes:

- the video does not mirror what is told in the background essay

- the video talks about other animals moving north and invasive species but only briefly about the salmon, without much of the science presented in the background essay

- This national standard is not addressed, although it says it is: 4B/M11a ( Grades: 6-8 ): The wasteful or unnecessary use of natural resources can limit their availability for other purposes. Restoring depleted soil, forests, or fishing grounds can be difficult and costly.

About the Pedagogy

Short introduction of how changing climate is impacting the subsistence culture of the Athabaskan people living in the Arctic.

Concrete example of the effects of climate change rather than in the abstract.

Technical Details

Easy to download or watch online.