Ice Bear Project - Ice Bear Info

Ice Bear Info

The polar bear has become firmly established as the great icon of the far north. For thousands of years the bear has been integral to the lives of Arctic peoples. Now, we are all beginning to realise how important polar bears and their kingdom are to the future of the whole planet.

Scientists estimate that there are presently 20-25,000 polar bears, spread out over an area that stretches from Canada's Hudson Bay across the top of the world to Russia on the other side of the Pole.

This vast landscape is now under threat from climate change. The polar bear's frozen domain is disappearing fast. We are all interlinked to this landscape in so many ways. Our long-term future is tied to the health of the Arctic. It is the barometer of the state of climate change.

The London Bear in the Square event is an invitation for everyone to forge a direct connection with the polar bear and its frozen kingdom. We hope that this experience will inspire you to explore how you too can help the bear, the Arctic and therefore help bring Nature back into balance.

The Bear Facts:

Polar bears only live in and around the Arctic. The bear's range traverses the territory of five nations - Alaska (US), Canada, Greenland (Denmark), Svalbard (Norway) and Russia.
Around 60% of the world's population of polar bears live in the Canadian Arctic.
The Canadian Inuit peoples call the bear "Nanook". Polar bears are a key figure in the material, spiritual and cultural lives of all the indigenous Arctic peoples.

Polar bears are dependent on the Arctic sea-ice to hunt for their main prey - ringed and bearded seal.
Every summer the surface of this sea-ice reduces by more than the area of Alaska and Texas combined. Studies show that the Arctic sea-ice is freezing later and thawing earlier year on year.
Polar bears are a listed vulnerable species - 5 out of 19 subpopulations are now in decline from an estimated total world population of 20-25,000. The main threat to the species is accepted as being from the effects of global warming.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) - estimates that the polar bear's sea-ice range will have mostly disappeared within the next 100 years. Some conservation organisations believe that we have only 5 years to reverse this inexorable climatic trend.
On May 14, 2008, the US Department of the Interior listed polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act - the only mammal in the world to be protected by the Act as a direct result of global warming.

What can I do?

Here are links to organisations who are working hard to get us back on track. You can begin to do the same today by joining them or others who are doing their bit for the environment.

www.wwf.org.uk
The UK aspect of the world’s leading conservation body. WWF’s passion for safeguarding the natural world is backed up by other environmental action – tackling the global threat of climate change and helping people change the way they live to ease pressure on natural resources.

www.panda.org
WWF International - Working globally for a sustainable planet, their mission is to create a future where humans can live in harmony with nature. A key area of their work is with polar bears and the Arctic.

www.polarbearsinternational.org
Polar Bears International - Their motto: "Conservation through research and education". They are a vital source of polar bear information.

www.ecotricity.co.uk
Ecotricity - An estimated 34% of all greenhouse gases are presently created by electricity generation. By simply changing your electricity supplier to a green generator you can significantly lower your carbon emissions and help protect the environment.

Go Carbon Neutral!
After you have done your bit to reduce your carbon footprint, unavoidable emissions can be mitigated through off-set schemes that invest in projects which absorb or prevent the release of a tonnage of CO 2 equivalent to our own footprint. Companies like www.co2balance.uk.com or www.carbonneutral.com can measure your emissions and provide solutions for companies both big and small.

Find out more about the Arctic
www.catlinarcticsurvey.com Led by explorer, Pen Hadow, The Catlin Arctic Survey was a scientific survey to the North Pole during Feb-May 2009, which took measurements to help scientists find out when the ice here would no longer be a permanent feature of our planet. Some scientists say this sea-ice loss could occur in just four years from now.	www.arcticsurveyeducation.com As part of the Catlin Arctic Survey, Arctic Survey Education is an initiative to promote climate change awareness by inspiring and engaging young people with new facts and knowledge.	www.christinafranco.com In March 2010 Christina Franco will attempt to become the first successful female solo expedition to the North Pole. The 775KM journey from Ward Hunt Island in northern Canada will be undertaken on foot pulling supplies including food and fuel on a sled. The expedition is expected to take 60 days.

Ice Bear Info

The Bear Facts:

What can I do?

Find out more about the Arctic