Polar Literacy Principles

The Polar Regions are facing changes with global consequences. From climate to food web changes, impacts continue to emerge, while the importance of our Polar Regions are often overlooked. The Polar Literacy Principles outline essential concepts to improve public understanding of these critical and sensitive ecosystems.

For polar scientists, these principles define the important concepts to convey when communicating the broader impacts of their research. For educators, these principles provide guidance on significant concepts to teach about the Polar Regions.

The Polar Literacy Principles

The Principles below represent the current version as developed by the Polar-ICE team: Rutgers University, California State University – Monterey Bay, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), Eidos Education, Indiana University and Open Minds Media. Special thanks to our contributors including scientists and educators from Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, The Ohio State University, Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS), and the Long-term Ecological Research Programs – Palmer Station and McMurdo Dry Valleys.

An icon image of the Earth

Principle #1: The Arctic and Antarctic Regions are unique because of their location on Earth.

An icon image showing a mountain next to an ocean

Principle #2: Ice is the dominant feature of the Polar Regions.

An icon images showing arrows swirling around like wind

Principle #3: Polar Regions play a central role in regulating Earth’s weather and climate.

Icon images of a krill and a copepod

Principle #4: The Polar Regions have productive food webs.

An icon image of a polar bear

Principle #5: The Poles are experiencing the effects of climate change at an accelerating rate.

An icon image of a historic painting of a man

Principle #6: Humans are a part of the Polar system. The Arctic has a rich cultural history and diversity of Indigenous Peoples.

An icon image of an underwater robotic glider

Principle #7: New technologies, sensors and tools are expanding scientists’ abilities.

Additional Resources on the Polar Literacy Initiative

Polar Literacy Principles Brochure
For a complete list of all of the principles, download our 2-page brochure.
A snapshot of the Polar Literacy Principles brochure

Polar Connections
This 4-minute introductory video highlights how we are all connected to the Polar regions.
Title image from the Polar Connections video

For more, check out this interview by Ari Daniel (Senior Digital Media Producer at NOVA) with Dr. Joel Barker at the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, The Ohio State University.