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.

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!! 

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!

This week, Bill McClain, upper school environmental science teacher at St. George’s Independent School’s Collierville campus, is traveling to Churchill, Manitoba in Canada to work withPolar Bears International where he will be observing polar bears in the wild on the shores of the Hudson Bay. While Bill is there, he will be joining other scientists and zoologists to conduct webcasts and videoconferences as they “teach from the tundra.” They will be sharing information about polar bears, the Arctic, climate change and its effect on polar bear habitat, and ways to take action and make a difference.

Today, Bill flew to Winnipeg, Canada where he will spend the night at the Four Points Sheraton on the airport property. Then, tomorrow morning (Sunday), Bill will begin the real adventure of flying to Churchill.

Taylor, a St. George’s junior class member, attended the PBI Leadership Camp on the tundra about three weeks ago. It was an amazing and life-changing experience for her to join youth from all over the world, observe polar bears in the wild, discuss the impact that climate change is having on their habitat, and make plans to take action to make a difference.

I had the opportunity to be on the tundra for the first time last year, and I will be returning in about three weeks. It is truly an incredible experience, and I feel very lucky to be a part of Polar Bears International. I am so very excited that I have been able to share this adventure with other members of the St. George’s community.

So, be watching this blog this week as Bill starts journaling his experiences on the tundra and sharing his thoughts and experiences. And, join the webcasts to observe the bears on the tundra and share the adventure! For more information on the webcasts, visit the onine curriculum “Polar Bears in a Changing Climate” and also “Rolling on the Tundra.”

Julene Reed, Director of Academic Technology
St. George’s, Collierville

As some of you may recall, “Rolling on the Tundra,” an interdisciplinary study of polar bears and climate change, was published last year on the Apple Learning Interchange in conjunction with live webcasts conducted from the shores of the Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba. This year, there will be two different weeks of webcasts conducted from the tundra. These both are part of a new ALI exhibit, “Polar Bears in a Changing Climate.”

The webcasts this year are very engaging with live cameras on the bears on the tundra as well as video clips from bears recently encountered. The curriculum in the new exhibit is based on Challenge Based Learning, and the main focus is climate change.

The first series of webcasts includes an environmental science teacher from St. George’s as well as scientists and zoologists on the panel (Oct. 19-21). The second set of webcasts (Nov. 9-11) will include a great panel of experts as well, and I will facilitate that discussion. There is a sheet of FAQ’s for educators to use prior to the webcasts as well as lots of CBL resources that provide framework for educators new to this instructional strategy. And, there are some great resources to go with the lessons and webcasts. To participate in the webcasts, go to the “Polar Bears in a Changing Climate” exhibit for details.

Please share this information with others you know who may be interested. This should be a great series of informative session, and I hope that the resources will be beneficial.

You will currently find some great resources available on the site. More examples of technology-specific products being used to support the lessons and the solutions (psa’s created with iMovie, Pages documents, etc.), additional videos, etc. are being added, so be looking for those.

Below is the link for the new exhibit as well as the link for the one from last year. I hope that you will consider joining the webcasts, and that this information will be of benefit to you, your teachers, and/or your students.

“Polar Bears in a Changing Climate”

“Rolling on the Tundra”

According to Wikipedia, “Twitter is a free social networking and micro–blogging service that enables its users to send and receive other users’ updates known as tweets.” PBI has decided to harness the “power” and communication strengths of this social networking media in order to better provide information and updates to its constituents and other interested parties.

In addition to Twitter, PBI also now has a Facebook account where visitors can get news updates about polar bears and climate change as well as share polar bear stories, videos, and photos. While Facebook started as a social networking site for people (initially college students), many organizations are now utilizing it as well.

So, subscribe to the Twitter and visit the Facebook account! We’d love to “see” you there!

Elf Island is an online virtual world that allows kids to “Play Games, Do Good.” In the section of the Elf Island website that is “Gaming for Good,” there is a “Polar Bear GoodQuest” where students can make a positive difference in the real world through “Mirrored Gaming.”

The Elf Island website states: 

“Working with our non-profit partners, Elf Island identifies real world projects to support. We create online games called GoodQuests™ , which are focused on these initiatives to bring the projects to life in the virtual world.

Through Mirrored Gaming, kids learn about non-profit projects and, by completing a GoodQuest, they help real people, animals and the earth.
- Planting a tree in our virtual world causes trees to be planted in the real world.
- Building a home in our virtual world causes real homes to be built in the real world.
- Helping sharks in our virtual world helps sharks in the real world.

Kids feel the empowerment and become inspired to see the results.”

What a great way to effect change in the world by educating students in a fun and engaging process that is meaningful!! Be sure to share this website with the youth in your world, and see what powerful things they can do through this experience!

Note: The Polar Bear GoodQuest will be launching the first week of March 2009.

Read the article  “No common ground at first polar bear summit” written by Patrick White and published by Globe and Mail or the article “Minister Prentice HIghlights Progress Made at Polar Bear Roundtable” that is published on MSNBC. Then, post your comments here to join the debate!

With that very important message, PBI has decided to focus most of their efforts this next year on providing information related to this topic. But, more importantly, PBI is actively going to encourage individuals, corporations, and government entities to work to reduce carbon emissions and take actions that will help to stop this rapid climate change that is taking place.

How can you reduce your carbon footprint? What can your organization do to utilize alternative energy sources and become a “green” organization? What can educators, corporations, and governments do to really make a difference for the climate, our earth, and the polar bears?

No matter what one’s view of the climate is, everyone must take responsible action to preserve our natural resources. While this is an overwhelming and daunting task to many, I “hear” Dr. Jane Goodall’s words echoing in my head. If each of us does our part individually, then collectively we CAN make a difference! Dr. Jane has hope for the future because of the resiliency of the human spirit and the power of today’s youth to act to make a difference for the future.

“Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” - Dr. Jane Goodall

What role will you play to make a difference in the future of our planet…and the polar bears of the world?