My story begins in the Arctic. I'm riding in a beaten-up van with caterpillar-tracks, inching my way across the tundra of northern Canada, 40 miles from Churchill.
After a two hour-long drive I reach my destination: the Arctic wilderness. Battling biting cold winds and wrapped in a massive parka, I get out and stand alongside my colleague Peter Ewins, WWF Arctic wildlife biologist.
Less than 100 meters away, a polar bear mother rests as her 10-week old cub alternates between tugging on her neck and batting at barren twigs. I'm awed by how this immense animal can be so gentle, patiently tolerating the cub's tugs and nips. The mother polar bear's sheer size, magnificence and affection toward her offspring are amazing.
But I'm not in the Arctic to simply experience the awe of this beautiful species--I'm here because the plight of the polar bear is far from certain.
Researchers say that by the time the cub grows to be an adult, in 2035, the lack of sea ice near Churchill will make life here impossible for the polar bear to survive.
Higher temperatures from climate change are causing sea ice to form later and melt sooner than ever before, and the polar bear diet consists almost entirely of seals that these animals hunt on the sea ice. This forces polar bears ashore before they can build up sufficient body weight to stay healthy until returning to the sea ice months later.
Scientists have found that polar bear litter sizes are steadily declining because mothers are too malnourished to bring cubs to term or nurse them as infants. Historically, triplets and twins would commonly emerge from maternity dens, but now twins and singletons (like this cub before me) are the norm.
WWF scientists and staff are working tirelessly to help save polar bears, but it is an uphill battle.
Winter temperatures in northeastern Canada are now warmer than normal, and continuing to climb. The same situation faces polar bears in Alaska, where WWF is working to build support for sustainable management of bear habitat.
These problems aren't just isolated to the Arctic--they are felt in ecosystems around the world. The solutions lie in reducing our addiction to dirty fossil fuels, using our energy more efficiently, and powering our economies with clean, renewable energy.
The solution to saving species like the polar bear is within our grasp. Will you help us seize it?
I'm asking you to join me in supporting WWF:Please make a monthly donation to help us make the difference for species and wild places around the world. We need to act before it's too late.
Your generous donation helps support WWF's global conservation efforts to protect wild species and their habitats. We want to give a future to all wild animals and preserve a world in which our children get to experience the magnificence of creatures like the polar bear.
No comments:
Post a Comment