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Development opportunities and challenges in Northern Canada
I can explain opportunities and challenges of developing cold environments in Northern Canada.
Lesson 4 of 5
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Development opportunities and challenges in Northern Canada
I can explain opportunities and challenges of developing cold environments in Northern Canada.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Northern Canada is an example of a cold environment.
- There are opportunities for development in Northern Canada (mineral extraction, energy, fishing, tourism).
- There are challenges for developing in Northern Canada (extreme temperatures, inaccessibility, provision of buildings).
Keywords
Indigenous - the people that originally lived and may continue to live in a particular country or region
Mineral extraction - the process of removing valuable minerals from the earth
Tourism - the business of attracting and taking care of visitors to a place
Permafrost - a thick subsurface layer of soil that remains frozen throughout the year, occurring chiefly in polar regions
Common misconception
Cold environments cannot support any form of development.
While challenging, development is possible in cold environments with proper planning and technology.
Set students the task of developing a fact file on this case study for homework, which they can then use for revision closer to the exam.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What defines a cold environment?
What defines a cold environment?
Areas with very little rainfall
Areas with high temperatures all year
Areas covered by forests
Q2.Which of the following is an example of a cold environment?
Which of the following is an example of a cold environment?
The Sahara desert
The Amazon rainforest
The Mediterranean coast
Q3.What is permafrost?
What is permafrost?
Ground that is frozen for a few months each year
Ice that floats on the ocean
A mountain glacier
Q4.Which human activity threatens cold environments the most?
Which human activity threatens cold environments the most?
Reforestation
Eco-tourism
Organic farming
Q5.How can plants survive in cold environments?
How can plants survive in cold environments?
By growing very tall to reach sunlight
By having large leaves
By using salt water
Q6.What does 'fragile environment' mean when describing cold regions?
What does 'fragile environment' mean when describing cold regions?
It breaks easily when people walk on it
It has a lot of earthquakes
It is safe from climate change
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What does the term "indigenous" refer to?
What does the term "indigenous" refer to?
Tourists visiting a region
People who migrate to cold environments
Workers involved in mining
Q2.What is mineral extraction?
What is mineral extraction?
Growing crops in cold climates
Protecting endangered species
Stopping mining activities to protect wildlife
Q3.Which activity could threaten indigenous cultures?
Which activity could threaten indigenous cultures?
Respectful ecotourism
Conservation projects
Educational programmes about indigenous traditions
Q4.Why is the statement "Cold environments cannot support any form of development" incorrect?
Why is the statement "Cold environments cannot support any form of development" incorrect?
They have no useful resources
They are too dangerous for any human activity
They are all covered by permanent glaciers
