Rolling on the Tundra: A Polar Bear Adventure

COP15, the Copenhagen United Nations Climate Change Conference opened today, and the news media is buzzing on many levels. Dire warnings by scientists, corporate and government leaders, and conference presenters are highlighting the fact that man is largely responsible for much of the climate change that can be attributed to increased CO2 emissions and greenhouse gases. Stories of rising seas, melting ice, and erratic weather patterns – all of which potentially have a serious effect on life on our planet – were impactful and sometimes quite emotional. The scientific leaders at the conference believe that the facts and evidence are unequivocal and that it is critical that action be taken on a large scale to stop the damage being done.

While all of this activity is going on at the conference, there is also a backchannel of news about the leaking of e–mails of the scientists at the University of East Aglia. The text of the e–mails suggests that data regarding climate change had been altered by the scientists and was not accurate. This news shook the level of trust by many people on many levels, especially due to the economic and financial impact of climate change steps and agreements that governments of many countries are preparing to undertake.

However, the focus of the climate change conference remains steady as repeatedly scientists and experts state that the data, the research, and the science of what is happening to the climate and to our planet are sound and based on accurate facts. The work of those in attendance (individuals, organizations, and government leaders) continues during the conference, and the serious implications of what is happening is repeatedly being shared with attendees.

While there are still those people who are doubtful or unsure about climate change and the effects of mankind’s CO2 emissions on greenhouse gases and global warming, it is clearly evident that we all need to “change our ways” and become better stewards of our planet. No matter what the reason for doing so, it is just the “right thing to do.” And, along with “going green,” we create new industries, which helps our economy. As we become self-sufficient in our energy production as a country, we become less dependent on foreign countries for our energy supplies, which benefits our national security. So, what is there to lose?

And, if you have been to the Arctic and seen the changes in the ice formation and the effects on the polar bears…or if you have been to Tanzania and seen the reduced ice on the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro – the same ice that melts and supplies water to the surrounding villages – or if you have heard of the flooding of areas of Bangladesh due to rising sea levels, then you know that the signs are clear in those places as well as in many other places around the world. And, you also know that now is a critical time to take action and make a change. Change must come not only in the form of changing lightbulbs and driving hybrid cars and all of the things we can do individually, but it must also happen on a much greater scale. Business, government, and industry leaders are the ones who are going to truly make a difference through their policies and laws affecting energy production and greenhouse gas emissions.

Thus, the success of the Copenhagen Climate Conference is critical as scientists and leaders come together over the next two weeks to learn from each other, plan together, and take actions to make a difference for all of us and for our planet. Don’t let the backchannel of news distract from the bigger issue. It is more important now than it has ever been that we all continue to take action and do all that we can to stop climate change. And, if we all do our part, then collectively we truly can make a difference.

Celebrate the Copenhagen climate conference as we all are hopeful that through this opportunity for scientists and world leaders to connect and collaborate will come real actions to help us on our path to solutions for the polar bears and for all of us!

While in Churchill last week, I met an amazing sculptor from the UK, Mark Coreth, and his fabulous videographer, Ollie (Oliver) Parker. The passion of the work Mark is doing related to his Ice Bear Project was truly inspiring. Below is Mark’s response to my request for a message for this blog. I encourage you to view Mark’s website and follow the story of this amazing piece of art that he is creating to tell a very, very important story. The ice bear will be placed in Copenhagen in December during the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Mark’s ice bear holds within it a bronze polar bear skeleton, and as the ice begins to melt, the skeleton of the polar bear will “appear.” The metaphors are many (especially when people increase the speed of the ice melting by touching the ice-carved polar bear), and the message of the effects of global warming and climate change on polar bears and their habitat are visually evident in Mark’s work.

Thank you, Mark, from everyone with Polar Bears International, from me, and from the multitudes of us working to make a difference. Below is Mark’s reflection after his visit to Churchill last week. Enjoy.

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“As the sculptor behind the Ice Bear, I have returned from Churchill delighted by the support and approval that I received from all of the PBI family…and highlight that from the scientific world. When as a new boy to the Arctic environment, as an artist with eyes wide open and a desire to make art count, a blessing from those so much more experienced is gratifying. Ice Bear is a philanthropic work; it is meant to be a vehicle to bring the problems in the Arctic to the wider world. I am determined that its message travels far and educates people from all walks of life and nations. I want people to touch the ice and so touch the Arctic, to become aware and a part of the project and so, hopefully, the solution. I carve the first bear on Nytorv Square in Copenhagen on 5th December and the second on Trafalgar Square in London on 11th December…there after with the help of like–minded people, we will let it travel!”

“An idea of this sort is born by experiencing the environment and learning from others. The week in Churchill was a huge part of my education, and for that I thank PBI collectively–especially all those who gave Ollie and me time with interviews. Studying bears at such close proximity is wonderful and a shed load easier than I found in both of my trips through the North! If I am to pick one concern and one concern only, it would be the basking warmth of Churchill…where was the cold and, looking at the weather through this week, I have to ask where IS it now? This seems to me to be horribly like a crystal ball to the future…that makes me ever more determined to travel my bear. Let us see what comes out of Copenhagen, but let’s not hold our breath. I see a long mission ahead.”

Thank you ALL…

With all the VERY best

Mark Coreth

In May 2009, to prepare for his exhibition on the Arctic, renowned animal sculptor Mark Coreth set off across the Baffin Island sea-ice in search of polar bears. This is a video from that journey.

At the end of the Tundra Connections webcast and videoconferencing series last week, Dr. Don Moore of the Smithsonian National Zoo wrote the following blog post for Polar Bears International to be shared. Thank you, “Dr. Don” for your amazing contribution to our efforts on behalf of the polar bears!
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“We finished our third Apple Learning Interchange – Polar Bears International webcast today.  It was interesting to cover Evidence, Impact, and Action over the last three days.

The weather out here has been beautiful for the webcasts, quite unlike previous years. We have seen many bears, but some were pretty skinny compared to previous years (we rated one at between 2 and 3 on a 5–point scale today, because we could see the points of his hips but couldn’t see his ribs showing through). I’m worried about the condition of some of the bears. This lowered bear condition will be exacerbated by continuing warm weather and positive–feedback warming (clear skies, open dark water that absorbs sunlight instead of reflecting it like ice and snow do, etc). My very personal feeling is that it hurts deep in my gut to see thin bears, and to know that humanity has caused this climate change and global warming and that some people are in denial about the facts, so are frozen into inaction when we really need to take action immediately.

We’ve had a lot of viewers of our webcasts and videoconferences, and we have had good and intelligent questions. We were able to hold their attention, of course, by showing the tundra and the bears beyond—we had about 15 different bears today and as many yesterday. During the videoconference yesterday, the drama was a mother and a relatively large Cub of the Year (COY) trying to make it back to shore while the tide was rising under the in–shore ice. We were trying to pay attention to the class and the COY at the same time—as the COY kept trying to jump from ice chunk to ice chunk, it went into and under the  water several times. The COY did NOT drown, and made it to the shore with its mother, then they both rolled in the snow to dry themselves off. We were a little more relaxed as we continued that videoconference!

I think the webcast crew this year has been AMAZING! For all of us to sit on a Tundra Buggy educational platform to have good conversations with students of many ages is just incredible. I wonder if the viewers and others know how much expertise is on this Buggy at one time! Dr. Tom Smith or Geoff York, with decades of experience studying polar bears in the wild, Julene Reed with her knowledge as such a professional educator, or Kassie Siegel with her incredible wealth of knowledge and experience on the legislative front. It has been a real honor for me to sit and chat with these folks, and with the scientists like Andrew Derocher that Polar Bears International had in town last week to do educational talks there for all of us. The overwhelming evidence continues to show that global warming is destroying the Arctic ice habitat, and many of the 19 polar bear populations are in decline because of it. For me, this means sleepless nights. I hope our visitors are understanding our message of Hope—that because the evidence is that people have caused this problem, and people are  smart, PEOPLE can also be the solution. I think a lot of the students understand this, and are trying to take personal action, action within their school, community, and families at home. I think their teachers and families might be listening. This gives me hope for the polar bears and other Arctic animals.

This is an incredible place, and I will hate to leave soon to go home, away from some of my favorite animals and people! I hope I can return to a returning ice habitat…”

I’m back in town of Churchill again after four days of living on the Tundra Buggy Lodge. Today is the end of my days out on the tundra and the end of the series of webcasts and videoconferences that we held live from Buggy One over the past two months. My trip here this year has been a whirlwind of activities since the helicopter ride over the Hudson Bay, the media tours and celebrations, and the drive out to the Tundra Buggy Lodge stationed at Polar Bear Point where we held the live broadcasts. But, what a fabulous experience these past days have been!!

Last year when I was here, it was cloudy most of the time that I was on the tundra. This year has been very different. It has been gorgeous and clear and sunny. Last year, I didn’t see the spectacular sunrises and sunsets by the Hudson Bay. Those are magic times of gorgeous blue and green water, bouncing colors of light hitting the snow, and reflections of the sun on the bears themselves. I had to just stop at different times and simply take in the beauty and wonder of this frozen land and the animals that inhabit it. It truly is spectacular. While we could see white ice far off in the distance on the horizon of the Hudson Bay, there is actually less ice forming near the shore than there was last week because of the sunshine and warmer, southern winds. The residents of this area are concerned at how late it is in the year, yet the Hudson Bay has not frozen more than it has. There have been a large number of bears wandering into town, and this is partially attributed to the fact that the Hudson Bay is not frozen. We are all hoping for colder weather very soon so the bears can move out to the ice and once again begin feeding on seals.

During my days on the tundra, the bears were very active. They were sparring (play fighting), ice punching, testing the ice floes by walking on them and jumping from one to another, rolling around, wrestling with each other, and being ever-curious about the humans who were observing them. We also saw a caribou, which is very unusual for this time of year.

The tourists who were guests staying on the Tundra Buggy Lodge were from all over the world. They started the trip not knowing each other, yet ended the trip as good friends because of their common experience and common passion for the bears. The panelists with whom I worked on the Tundra Connections education videoconferences and webcasts were amazing. We all were very diverse in our occupations, yet united by our common passion. We learned with and from each other all week. And, thanks to B. J. Kirschoffer’s technical expertise, the programs were all a great success! But, although this series of Tundra Connections events has ended, we’ve already had a debriefing, and we’ve scheduled a planning meeting for January. Already we are planning how to improve our outreach and make it even more engaging and impactful.

So, after days of watching the amazing bears on the tundra, meeting lots of new friends, being with lots of old friends (the PBI family), and working with iMax and NBC film crews, it is time to wind up my trip to Churchill for this season and focus on packing up and preparing to return back to Memphis. It is a time of celebrations for a season of work “well done,” a time of excitement about what we have accomplished, and a time of sadness as we all go our separate ways and return to our lives around the world. But, wherever we go, whatever we do, we will take the polar bears and the Arctic with us in our minds and in our hearts. We all will do our parts both individually and collectively to take action to stop the changing climate, protect polar bear habitat, and advocate for others to do the same.

So, as I leave Churchill tomorrow, I am re-energized to meet these challenges, knowing that others will be doing the same. And, the visual images of the eyes of the polar bears into which I looked so deeply this week will stay with me. And, the beauty of the Northern Lights on a starry, starry night in the Hudson Bay area of the Arctic in Canada will forever remind me of the beauty of this planet we are all inhabiting…and how important it is for each of us to be good stewards of this pale, blue dot (Earth) that we call home.

The Winter Olympics will be held in Vancouver, Canada this year, and so the Olympic torch is being carried by athletes across Canada. On Sunday, November 9th, the torch passed through the town of Churchill, and there were celebrations being held all day long. The torch run started in the main part of town, but the group of Polar Bears International volunteers and staff members walked to the shore of the Hudson Bay behind the town’s community center to watch a former PBI Leadership Camp youth as he carried the torch for part of the run. It was cold and windy, but we were excited to be there and ring bells and celebrate his participation in the torch run as well as the beginning of the Winter Olympic celebrations.

Once the torch run was completed in Churchill, then we actually had free time to participate in the town’s celebrations of the Olympic torch run which included speeches by dignitaries, a drum performance by a First Nation’s group, the transfer of the torch to the traveling lantern, and a celebratory barbecue. There was also time to browse the local gift shops. With the freshly fallen snow, the decorative lights on many of the gift shops, and the festive atmosphere, many of us commented that we suddenly felt ready for the upcoming holiday season. Churchill really has us in the mood for the winter holidays.

Upon returning to the PBI lodging, we held planning meetings with the panelists who would be participating in the upcoming Tundra Connections webcasts and videoconferences. We ate (again…it seems that is all we do here) and then those of us who were traveling to the Tundra Buggy Lodge for those upcoming events packed up our suitcases and prepared to depart for the launch area. However, there were some buggy repairs needed first, so our departure was delayed. But, at last we were on our way to the launch area.

When we arrived at the launch area where the buggies are stored at night, we had to drive around the area first, looking for bears as a safety precaution. There have been several bears in the area of Churchill at night, so it is highly recommended that we don’t walk anywhere at night unless we are in a large group. Polar bears usually will flee when there are three or more people in a group. Then, we boarded the buggy and headed across the tundra in the snow on our way to the lodge.

The fresh snow was magical as we drove across the tundra, but the evening became even more magical as it progressed. We hadn’t driven but about fifteen minutes, when suddenly a polar bear that had been sleeping on the road jumped up in front of us. So, we stopped to take photos of the bear with the glistening snow crystals on is fur before proceeding.

Once again we started toward the lodge when B.J. Kirschoffer, our driver and PBI’s field operations manager (I call him the techie guru of the north…) stopped the buggy a second time and turned off the lights. The one thing I missed during my trip to the Subarctic last year was seeing the northern lights, and to the excitement of all of us, the night had cleared, the stars were brilliantly shining (and there seemed to be millions of them), and the northern lights were “putting on” an amazing show of brilliant curtains and bands of dancing, moving lights! And, there were shooting stars repeatedly flying across the sky. It was truly a glorious sight. We stayed and watched for almost half an hour.

But, alas, we still had to get to the lodge where we were spending the night. So, we once again started our drive across the tundra. And, just when we thought the evening’s magic certainly had ended, a gorgeous and giant half-moon appeared on the horizon with a brilliant mirrored reflection shining brightly from the Hudson Bay. It truly was a magical night full of nature’s wonders, and it is was night all of us will remember.

So, the Sunday’s adventures were ones of great wonder in many ways…being a part of an Olympic experience, viewing the Northern Lights, and seeing the snowy world of the tundra under sparkling stars and a beautiful moon. We must all do our parts to help preserve this wondrous part of our world.

Written by Julene Reed on Saturday, November 7, 2009:

I have returned to Churchill, Manitoba again to observe and study polar bears in the wild as part of Polar Bears International’s “Tundra Connections.”  It has been a whirlwind of activity since my arrival yesterday, and I am currently riding on a tundra buggy along the Hudson Bay as we drive slowly across the tundra in a light snow at the end of a great day of observing polar bears.

As a member of the Polar Bears International Advisory Council focusing on education, I am very fortunate in being able to share the messages of climate change and the importance of being good stewards of our environment with teachers, students, and the general public through webcasts and videoconferences that are held live from the tundra with zoos, schools, universities, and other organizations. Today, three scientists and a zoologist joined me to host a live videoconference with guests at the Pittsburg Zoo. With over approximately 200 in attendance, we shared the messages of polar bears, their changing habitat, and conservation. We discussed our changing climate and ways that individuals can take action and make a difference in their own homes and communities. Resources for the education outreach can be found in the online curriculum, “Polar Bears in a Changing Climate.” Information about upcoming webcasts can also be found on the website.

So, that is why I am here again along the shores of the Hudson Bay. This is a particularly exciting time for Churchill this week as the Olympic torch will be passing through the town tomorrow, and there are many visitors and celebrations taking place.

I flew into Winnipeg late Thursday night, then caught a very early morning flight to Churchill on Friday morning. Once I had been picked up and taken to the PBI housing, the whirlwind of activities began.

At noon, ten of us were taken out on two helicopters to tour the Hudson Bay area from the air. We spent nearly three hours observing polar bears and other wildlife from the air, and the view was amazing. We flew out to the Cape area where the large, male bears gather to travel out on the ice that is the first area to freeze each year. We landed there and were able to enjoy walking on the tundra, looking at the lichen and willows  and other tundra vegetation as well as experience the tundra at “ground level.”

During our flight we saw a mother polar bear with two cubs that were feasting on the remains of a moose. We also watched a group of moose and a large number of polar bears throughout the afternoon. It was a beautiful and amazing view, and the helicopter ride was a very energizing experience. Although I had ridden in a helicopter last year during my visit, the tour we took this time was much more expansive and allowed us to visit a wide variety of terrain as we flew many miles over a large area of land and water.

Once we returned from the ride, we immediately went to a local inn for a late lunch. That was followed that evening by a cocktail reception at the Parks Canada office where there is an amazing museum. Dr. Andy Derocher then spoke to the attendees about the effects of climate change on polar bears in the wild. There was then another reception held at Gypsys, a local restaurant. The town of Churchill had a “social” with live music and dancing at their community center in celebration of the Olympic torch weekend. While several of the PBI group then went to the dance, I actually went back to my Churchill home to rest in preparation for what I knew would be a very busy day on Saturday.

So, now it is Saturday. We have spent the day on the tundra observing bears in the wild and videoconferencing with the Pittsburg Zoo. For many of the visitors who are with us, this is their first time to see bears in the wild. While we were videoconferencing in Buggy One, the research buggy, the other buggy of visitors in a different tundra buggy observed a group of bears as they “took turns” eating a seal that one of them had killed. As one bear ate for a while, a larger bear would come along and chase it away so it could eat. And then another…and the progression of bears continued as four or five bears proceeded to eat the seal.

Our group today is one of great diversity in occupation, yet consistent in their passion for bears and environmentalism. Within our group we have an artist who is filming in conjunction with a bronze sculpture he is creating for the upcoming Copenhagen climate conference, an iMax camera crew, a documentary camera crew, zoologists, scientists, hotel owners, website designers, founders of the Center for Biological Diversity, marketing specialists, professional photographers, and an educator (me).

So, that is “two days in one” as I get my feet back on the ground (or the tundra) in preparation for a busy week of education outreach. Tonight is a dinner in honor of special guests, and tomorrow is the celebration of the torch as it passes through Churchill. It is great to be back with my “PBI family” and see so many of my friends and colleagues. It is always a very stimulating and educating environment learning more and more every hour about bears, climate change, science, environmentalism, research, etc. It is great to be a part of such an amazing community of people working together for a common purpose. And, it is great at the end of the day to finally lie down to rest in preparation for the next busy and meaningful day that lies ahead.

So, follow my tundra adventures through this blog and join the upcoming webcasts by visiting the online exhibit ,“Polar Bears in a Changing Climate.” I’ll also be sharing fun facts about the bears and climate change through the blog and through the Polar Bears International Twitter account. I’m off to the town of Churchill again now…in the gentle, blowing snow with a blanket of white surrounding the buggy…and I am literally “rolling on the tundra” as I go! Polar bear hugs to everyone…and especially to all of the St. George’s community and my family!

Fun bear fact of the day: Polar bears usually eat only the fat on seals, leaving the other remains. Because fats are lipids, Dr. Andy Derocher has coined a new term for this. He says that polar bears aren’t really herbivores or carnivores…they are “lipivores.” Not a real term, but it should be!! 

October 24th was the International Day of Climate Action, and people around the world showed their concerns for reducing the world’s CO2 emissions in order to preserve our environment and stop climate change. When you look at the photos on the 350 website and realize that this truly was a global day of action – one of 360 degrees around the globe – it is heartwarming and encouraging to know that so many of us ARE taking notice of the importance of reducing our carbon emissions. And, so many of us are taking action to make a difference!

In Churchill, Manitoba, members of Polar Bears International took their “350 Photo” to make a statement about their commitment to reduce carbon emissions and preserve polar bear habitat. It is through our collective actions that we can all work to reduce climate change by reducing CO2 emissions…and thus save polar bear habitat and the habitat of all living things.

In 2008, Purdue University released CO2 maps with amazing detail of the emissions across the United States. “The Vulcan Project” provides amazing visual imagery of the CO2 being released in different areas of the U.S. during different intervals. These powerful images certainly make an impression.

What are YOU doing to make a difference? What actions are YOU taking? Share your thoughts and ideas here with all of us!