Name of Resource: Abrupt Climate Change
Climate Change Theme: Abrupt
Sponsoring Organization: Ocean and Climate Change Institute (Woods Hole Institute)
Intended use: Background Material, Learning Activity
Intended audience: Educators and Learners
URL: http://www.whoi.edu/institutes/occi/currenttopics/ct_abruptclimate.htm
Average Review Ratings (Poor to Excellent, 1-5 scale):

Description: This website serves as a clearinghouse for research into oceans and abrupt climate change at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Through its articles, the site caters to many different audiences:
-There is an article addressing the science in the movie "Day After Tomorrow"
-There is testimony to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
-An FAQ addresses common misconceptions about abrupt climate change
-Summaries of current research into abrupt climate change are provided
-Many animations and interactives are used to illustrate ocean circulations and data collections
-There are links to stories in the media concerning ocean research climate change (JG)

Summary of Reviews

Reviewer: Carrie Morrill
Comments: Up-to-date information about abrupt climate change from the perspective of oceanography. Contains FAQs about abrupt climate change misconceptions and the movie "The Day After Tomorrow", summaries of papers published by Woods Hole scientists, and congressional testimony given by Woods Hole scientists. Website is focused on changes in the thermohaline circulation. It is important to remember that there are other possible causes of abrupt climate change.
Read entire review: link text (Acrobat (PDF) 59kB Jun21 05)

Reviewer: Jack Ganse
Comments: There are many ways educators could take advantage of this website for classroom use. The animations could be projected in the classroom to help show how oceans circulate. A scavenger hunt or webquest could be developed using this site. The article which responds to the movie "Day After Tomorrow" is a real boon to teachers whose students are always asking if what happens in movies can happen for real. The links to media stories make for good classroom reading and discussion.
Read entire review: link text (Acrobat (PDF) 58kB Jun21 05)
Also see related website on misconceptions: link text (Acrobat (PDF) 55kB Jun21 05) http://www.whoi.edu/institutes/occi/currenttopics/ct_abruptclimate.htm