Birch Aquarium's eye-opening exhibit "Feeling the Heat" focuses on the "hot" universal issue of global warming. Researchers at Scripps are making breakthrough discoveries on this issue and "Feeling the Heat" is the first exhibit dedicated to climate change in Southern California. What better place to learn more about global warming and its immediate and long-term effects on Earth than from the researchers at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, UCSD.

Filled with videos and visuals, the must-see exhibit offers many interactive ways to learn about global warming and our environment. Upon entering the exhibit, you are presented with images of dissolving glaciers. In time-line fashion, you are able to examine the effects of global warming on glacial melting and, with the aid of the next few displays, see how the oceans affect global temperature.

There are several trivia stations dispersed throughout the exhibit, covering topics such as humans' effects on global warming and how we can work to stabilize emissions of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

A crowd favorite is the "California Climate Newsroom." It gives you the opportunity to be the broadcaster of a television news report, set in California in the year 2050. Inside the newsroom, you are fed a script and record your newscast. Afterward, you and other aquarium guests, get the treat of viewing your newscast as it is played back on a television set outside of the "newsroom."

For directions to Birch Aquarium see #33 on our La Jolla map. The aquarium is located at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, (858-534-3474). It's open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (except New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day). Admission is ($11) for adults 18 yrs. and older; ($9) for seniors 60 yrs. and older; ($7.50) for students with I.D. and children ages 3-17; children under 3 are admitted free.

Go to our Discount Coupons page for a coupon to Birch Aquarium for $1 off admission per person; limit six.