Protecting Polar Bears, Butterflies, and Frogs from Climate Change By: Ms. Berkowitz’s 5th grade class

Polar Bears are becoming extinct for the following reasons: The temperature is changing in the Arctic Circle due to global warming. Polar bears only hunt on sea ice and this is a problem because the temperature is rising and the ice is slowly melting. They are also being threatened by oil development.

We can change this by: Not moving forward on the drilling for oil in the Arctic. Fight for permanent protection for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by passing the Udall-Eisenhower Wilderness Act. Pass the Global Warming Wildlife Survival Act to help polar bears survive the impacts of climate change. Fight for the full protection of America’s struggling polar bears that they deserve under the Endangered Species Act. You can actually adopt a Polar Bear at the Wildlife Adoption and Gift Center all the money goes to help protect the polar bears.

Butterflies 20,000 known species of butterflies live on every continent except Antarctica Adult butterflies drink nectar from flowers and drink sap from fallen fruit Butterflies lay their eggs in winter Butterflies are born as caterpillars Butterflies have 20 different toxins in them

Why Butterflies are Endangered Butterflies’ enemies are bats and birds In New Guinea, butterflies are dying because of climate and landscape change and pollution. Click here to see a list of threatened or endangered butterflies in the US Affects humans because of threat to crops and food supplies

Frog Facts Frogs depend on wet conditions to breed Since frogs are amphibians, they live in water and on land. All the adult frogs are carnivores (eat other animals). Frogs lay eggs which are soft and jelly-like, in the water. Mountain habitats are not good for frogs and froglits.

Why Frogs Are in Danger Many frog species have become threatened, endangered and even extinct in the past few decades. Factors: a fungal disease called Chytrid Fungus pollution invasive species habitat loss climate change

The Amazon Horned Frog

The Jumping Frog

Climate Change

How it Effects Animals Climate Change can effect animals in many ways. Increases in temperature can cause major disruptions to animals. Butterflies expect plants to bloom at a certain time in the spring season Changes in rainfall can have effects on animals too. Frogs and many other animals depend on moist conditions

Our Actions Impact Animals Sometimes we do things that are harmful to animals and we don’t notice we’re doing it. When you litter, you are hurting animals. If you drop glass it could really harm an animal by cutting it. If you leave a piece of plastic from a soda box on the ground, it could possibly cause animals to choke.

Here’s How You Can Help Turn off electronics or lights when you’re not using them Do not litter and ask others to pick it up when they do Use less water (don’t leave the water running when you brush your teeth, take shorter showers, fix a leaky faucet, and only do full loads of laundry/dishes) Recycle all recyclables Unplug electronics when they are fully charged

Our Survey You may remember taking a survey during computers a few weeks ago. We will be giving you that same survey again in a few weeks. We would like to see that you have gone home and started making changes to help save polar bears, frogs, and butterflies. Thank you!!!