Multimedia animations

In this section you will find several animations designed and produced by the International Polar Foundation on different topics linked to the polar regions, the way our planet's climate functions, climate change, biodiversity and energy.

Most of these animations are available as CD-ROMS in various languages. Please contact us for more information.

Energy vectors: “How we convert natural energy into man-made energy”

06.10.2006

After making direct use of natural energy (such as using the wind to propel a boat forward), then converting it into more useful forms of energy (in mills, for example), humans discovered that they could convert natural energy into other…
Measuring energy: “how much chocolate do you need to run a washing machine?”

29.09.2006

Sources of energy include water, sun and the wind, as well as certain matter, such as food, oil and uranium. Each of these sources is usually measured in different units (calories, litres, kilos, etc.)In 1849, it was established for certain…
Overall balance of the Earth: “the sun, the world’s driving force”

22.09.2006

The Earth obtains most of its energy from the sun and then sends it back into space again through the atmosphere. However, the greenhouse gases contained in the atmosphere hold on to this energy for a short time before releasing…
Converting energy

15.09.2006

Every action requires energy to be converted for the action to take place. This conversion is governed by the following two main rules: the total amount of energy in the universe is constant and never changes; energy can be converted…
What is energy?

08.09.2006

Almost everything around us either produces or consumes energy. This energy may be contained in motion, as well as in stationary objects that release energy when they begin to move. The sun is the main source of energy for the…
What are the Arctic and Antarctic?

10.08.2005

This animation gives a general presentation of the Arctic and Antarctic, their geographic location, and the differences between winter and summer ice covers...
Polar nights

09.08.2005

This animation explains how the Earth is lit by the sun depending on the season. In particular the lighting of the Arctic and the Antarctic is detailed for every month of the year. The helps explain, among other things, the…
Political situation

08.08.2005

This animation examines the territorial division of the two poles, the geographic implantation of the populations of the Far North and the scientific bases in Antarctica.
Description of ice types

07.08.2005

This animation explains the formation of the two types of ice (terrestrial and sea ice) in the Arctic and Antarctic. The differences between summer and winter ice coverage are also presented.
Polar bears and penguins

06.08.2005

The animation looks at the distribution of two emblematic species, polar bears at the North Pole and penguins at the South Pole.