Arctic Sea Ice Day – Save Our Sea Ice
Today is Arctic Sea Ice Day – SaveOur Sea Ice! Working with my friends at Polar Bears International, we’re getting the word out about why it’s important to talk about the planet’s sea ice. It’s not just for polar bears—which we know everybody loves—it’s about all things in the Arctic. And truthfully, it’s about our future lives as humans here on planet Earth.
Talking about the loss of sea ice and our warming planet helps get people to care. Below are a few “Factoids” you can put in your back pocket when you’re out and about, at a party, or visiting family. Talking about the issues that affect us all is a great way to spread the word and get others interested in the challenges we all face. It won’t always be easy, but think of yourself as a “keeper of the planet” and don’t give up.
Polar bear factoids for your hip pocket
The Arctic is warming three times faster than the rest of the planet, causing the sea ice to melt. In several regions around the Arctic, this is reducing the time polar bears have to hunt seals, increasing their fasting period, and forcing them to rely on their fat stores for longer periods. If the Arctic continues to warm at the current rate, we will see fewer polar bears in fewer places across the Arctic, making them more vulnerable to extinction.
Sea ice is the Earth’s air conditioner, it helps keep our planet cool and regulates the Earth’s climate. Melting sea ice doesn’t just impact polar bears, it’s bad for people too. To protect polar bears and the sea ice we all depend on, we need to move away from using fossil fuels for energy altogether.
Sea ice is as important to the Arctic ecosystem as the soil is to a forest. Sea ice is much more than a frozen hunting platform for polar bears: It supports the entire Arctic food chain! When ocean water gets cold enough to freeze, it expels salt, causing channels to form inside the ice. As sunlight filters through, algae grow in these channels, creating an underwater garden that forms the base of the food chain. Together, we can preserve this habitat for polar bears, people, and other wildlife.
Here’s how you can get involved:
– Tune in for the “Celebrate Sea Ice” live chat today, July 15, 2022 at 12:00 pm Central Time. Our team will share one way you can help protect Arctic sea ice and five reasons it is so cool.
– Talk about it! Have meaningful conversations to help make the need to take action on climate warming a kitchen table issue and policy priority, using these tips.
– Join us for the launch of our Beluga Cam by watching a live chat today, July 15, at 9:45 a.m. Central Time with our own Captain Kieran McIver. Register here to add it to your calendar and receive a reminder email.
– Donate or symbolically adopt a polar bear: your contribution will go towards critical Arctic research and conservation efforts.
Support the Arctic Documenatry Project (ADP) that Daniel J. Cox adminisiters under the nonprofit umbrella of Polar Bears International. All of Daniel’s time and efforts are donated to PBI, for the ADP, free of charge. The funds donated to the Arctic Documentary Project are used to document the changes taking place in the Arctic with both stills and video. These materials help PBI tell the story of the changes taking place in the Arctic. The images in this blog post were all produced by the ADP.
– Also check out how companies like our new partner, MINI USA, are doing their part to reduce emissions, committing to an all-electric future, and supporting our work. Leadership on all levels, from the business community to municipalities and national governments, is critical to slowing global warming—and ensuring a better future for all of us.
Ready to learn more?
Discover key sea ice facts, learn about the state of the Arctic, and explore our Arctic Sea Ice Day Toolkit, where you will find action tools, social media content and more.
