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Welcome to The Regenerators.

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Introduction

Animals that are adapted to the specific environment where they live are more likely to survive than those that aren’t. They have evolved over a long time, thousands or millions of years, to better survive these conditions.

But as human activity is causing the climate to change, it's putting many living things and their habitats at risk.

By working together to tackle climate change, we can protect animals and the places they live. In return, living things can also help protect us too.

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What is adaptation?

Animals that are adapted to their habitats have special features which help them to survive there.

For example, penguins are adapted to living on ice and surviving in freezing cold water. To help them stay warm they have feathers and a thick layer of fat under their skin called blubber.

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How are animals adapted to different conditions?

Animals have evolved in many wild and wonderful ways that allow them to live in different climate zones.

Find out about some of the world's weirdest creatures in the activity below.

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Animal habitats are changing

As the climate changes, many habitats around the world are changing significantly, or even being lost altogether. This is making life increasingly difficult or impossible for living things.

Have a look at how a few species are being affected by climate change.

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 3, A polar bear walking across a snowy landscape, Polar bears Polar bears rely on the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean to hunt for seals. As the ice breaks up, the animals are forced to roam for long distances or on to shore, where they struggle to find food and feed their cubs.
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UK wildlife and climate change

Animals and plants all around the world are being impacted by climate change and it’s no different for species in the UK.

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 4, Kittywakes nesting, Seabirds As the temperature of our seas is rising, the type of plankton found around the UK coast is changing. Lots of species depend on the plankton and this has a big knock-on affect through the food chain. Seabirds, like kittiwakes, are in decline as they are finding it hard to find food.
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Nature can fight climate change

Fatima saying did you know

Even though many species are threatened by global warming, nature itself can be an incredible defence against climate change.

Healthy ecosystems can store large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere.

Trees in forests absorb carbon dioxide into wood. Peat bogs and seagrass meadows are even better at storing it.

Coastal marshes and mangrove swamps can protect our shorelines from the effects of storm surges and rising sea levels.

Ecosystems also clean our water and air, as well as provide food and protection from disease.

If we help nature, nature can help us.

Fatima saying did you know
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What can we do to help?

There are lots of people and organisations that are helping to protect animals and their habitats.

Scientists and conservationists find out more every day about the impact of climate change on wildlife.

As humans, we need to change our behaviours to protect our natural world.

Extreme changes to environments can feel scary to think about, but big changes are possible!

During 2020, most major cities of the world were on lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic. This had some interesting changes for our environment.

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 6, Lots of people milling around on a pier in Venice, Italy, Venice, Italy in October 2018 Venice is a hugely busy tourist destination. Lots of people and boats causes the water to be dirty and polluted.
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Lesson complete

Well done Regenerator, you've completed this lesson. Now let's see what you can remember.

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Design your own creature

Imagine an environment which goes between two extreme seasons - a boiling hot, dry summer, followed by a freezing cold winter with daily snow.

Your challenge is to make a 3D model of a creature which is adapted to survive in these conditions.

GREEN CLASSROOM

Design your own creature

You can make the creature out of play dough, clay, tin foil, cardboard or paper. Try to recycle what you already have.

There's a recipe for home made play dough on ±«Óătv Tiny Happy People.

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