Word on the tundra is that the bears are looking really good this year. Due to a mild spring the ice broke up around the time is was breaking up 30 years ago. This is about 3 weeks later than they have seen in recent years. This allowed the bears to stay out a little longer and catch just a few more seals. That extra fat storage last spring is showing up this fall as healthier bears wait for the ice to freeze so they can go back out. Unfortunately, the ice is not freezing at the time it was 30 years ago so the bears are still here waiting. As soon as that ice freezes, however, the bears hightail it out of here.

On a scale of one to five, with one being skinny and 5 being obese, most bears we are seeing are classified with a three. This is an improvement over years past. This doesn’t mean that polar bears are out of trouble, because the time of ice melt each year depends on weather and not climate. Weather is the day to day changes we see in temperature and precipitation, while climate deals with averages and extremes. If we average the temperatures across the globe, temperatures are still on the rise, but fortunately, the bears in this area are doing well this year.

The bear on the left showed up shortly after all the tourists left the lodge this morning. The scientists on the buggy were excited about her condition. I like this picture because it shows the beautiful colors of the tundra. We got a fair amount of snow this afternoon so the terrain looks a little different now, but it is neat to see the area with the brilliant colors of the different types of lichen that grow out here. The bear walked up very close to the buggy and as I took the picture below, I was reminded that these animals are wild and curious. The bears I have seen in the past pay no attention to humans because they are acclimated to our presence, but this girl looked right into my eyes. WOW!

Other than the bears, the highlight of my day was the way my St. George’s kids represented our school during our videoconference this morning. The panelist were particularly impressed with the kids’ interest in what is happening to our planet and their desire to make a difference. Their attention to global citizenship was evident as they asked intriguing questions! I am very proud of these juniors and seniors and know that they will make a difference.

Blog entry from October 19, 2009 – Bill McClain, Environmental Science Teacher, St. George’s Independent School, Memphis, TN – on the tundra in Churchill, Manitoba

My world just got a little smaller. I have always thought of the North Pole and the Arctic tundra as being a distant, foreign land; almost like another planet. Visiting here, I see that it is not all that alien and not all that far away after all. In fact, I talked with a United Airlines pilot on my way up here and he explained to me that when he flies from Chicago to Japan he goes through the Arctic Circle. Now, I know that the earth is a sphere, and that flight patterns seem a little different because of this, but Chicago to Japan through the North Pole? That is kind of mind boggling. In a way this part of our planet brings us all together which is just what needs to happen if we are to protect it.

It has been quite an experience so far, and even though I have not seen a polar bear yet, I have met a number of incredible people that have dedicated their careers to helping this animal. I am excited for tomorrow and further opportunities to explore a new place and meet interesting people. The photo below is of us preparing to go out on the tundra.

Recently, members of the Tundra Buggy staff spotted a female polar bear with three cubs – something that has not been seen in that area for quite some time! Due to the detrimental effects of climate change on the health of polar bears in that region, the spotting of three cubs is very unique! Because of this year’s milder spring and summer conditions in that area and the delayed melting of the ice, these bears appear healthier than those that have been spotted the past few years. More information about the recent sighting of these bears and the related newscasts can be found on the Frontiers North Adventures blog.

While this is great news, scientists are quick to point out that the threat to this species absolutely still exists. The effects of climate change continue to take a toll on polar bears and other animal species around the world. It is through the continued efforts of all of us that we can make a difference in climate change and in the habitat of animals globally. Keep up the great work!

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?

In conjunction with this exhibit, there is also a Ning and a blog (as well as an ALI group). Through those, teachers and students can post comments, plan collaborative activities, and connect globally with schools around the world who are interested in these topics. Please know that the ALI exhibit and the connected resources are a dynamic work in progress. We are adding media and content constantly. Soon there will be photos and videos and other resources teachers can use with their students. And the blog will be very busy during the week of the videoconferences with lots of postings. Feel free to enter comments and questions for scientists on the blog (and your students may do the same)!

There are three webcasts being held live from the tundra the first week of November. During those activities, scientists working with polar bears will be sharing information live from the Hudson Bay area!

I hope you will find these resources of value in your classrooms. Please join us in this “Polar Bear Adventure!”

“Rolling on the Tundra: A Polar Bear Adventure”

The Polar Bear Ning

The ALI Group on Polar Bears