Global Warming: A Polar Bear’s Perspective
I’m writing to you so you can address some very important issues. Polar bears are very mad right now, including me. When I want water to freeze, I want water to freeze! The sea temperature’s been going up thanks to you. Plus, the sea temperature is not only stopping water from freezing, it is also causing ice to melt. Also, the seal population isn’t going down because of me—it’s going down because of you! No seals means no food. No food means no fat. No fat means death! And why are you moving to the Arctic? You know we don’t like your air pollution. It’s hard to breathe because of your cars, gas stations and smoke from chimneys. All I see in the summer are your houses. Just give us space to hunt. If you didn’t live here we wouldn’t break into your houses. Please do what you can to help. Please!
Sincerely,
A Polar Bear Representative
Writing piece taken from Grupology’s Poetry & Perspective Class, Student: 5th grade, 10 years old
Dear Polar Bears,
I was horrified after reading your letter and immediately did some research on the matter. Scientists can confirm that the extent of the Arctic summer sea ice has almost halved. Research tells us that the sea is getting warmer and the ice is often not even thick enough to form solid ice sheets. As a result, you polar bears are not able to hunt for seals through their breathing holes in the ice like you’ve always done. Seals do not need to breathe through breathing holes when the ice is all broken up. This is an alarming situation for you.
Human reliance on fossil fuels bears much of the responsibility for this recent increase in earth’s temperature—which we call global warming—is especially disturbing in the Arctic region, as you already know.
Fossil fuels form the backbone of everything we do. We use fossil fuels to power the electricity in our homes, the cars that we drive, and the transportation of food from other places in the world. Unfortunately, fossil fuels release extra carbon dioxide into the air, which leads to global warming. Because it is impossible to stop all these activities abruptly, we need to first focus on slowing down our fossil fuel use. Luckily, each of us can take steps today to reduce our personal carbon footprints (which is how much each of us contributes to the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases).
Reducing One’s Personal Carbon Footprint
Since almost everything we do in life using modern technologies has an impact on our personal carbon footprints, it’s best to learn the 6 R’s of sustainability so we can make a difference in our daily lives:
Rethink: Ask yourself if you really need something before you decide to buy it.
Refuse: Stop waste by deciding not to pay for things that you do not need.
Repair: Fix things that you already own instead of just buying something new.
Reduce: Buy less of what you do not need — if you consume less, you will waste less.
Reuse: Find ways to repurpose what you have instead of buying something new.
Recycle: Sort waste and recycle what you can so it reaches the right treatment centers.
By following these 6 R’s, we can reduce our personal carbon footprints and make a positive impact on the world!
Jump Start
We can shrink our carbon footprints by identifying a few things that have the most impact and are easiest to change. Here are some helpful guidelines and crucial facts to focus on and consider:
Travel
We can take steps to reduce driving, for example: carpooling, using public transit, biking, or walking when possible.
In the home
We can turn off lights and electronics when they are not in use. Don’t run the dishwasher or washer/dryer unless they are full. We can commit to using energy efficient appliances and lights.
Food Production and Transport to Your Table
We can reduce our food carbon footprint by decreasing the amount of meat and dairy in our diets. This does not mean that we all must become vegetarian or vegan all the time. We can reduce our carbon footprints by eating locally grown foods. We should avoid disposable food packaging and commit to reusable bags and containers.
Personal Items
We can be mindful about buying fewer new items and reuse what we already own for a longer time. We must recycle and buy recycled items when possible.
Trying it Together
Human beings can make a bigger difference when we work together in groups. We can learn from each other rather than reinventing the wheel all by ourselves. Let us share what we learn and understand about climate change so we can slow it down!
And to you, the polar bears, we bow our heads in respect. We regret the predicament we have put you in and promise to commit to the actions outlined above in hopes of reversing this tragic trajectory. We salute your beauty and promise to do all we can to restore the awe-inspiring elements of your natural Arctic habitat.
With regret and renewed commitment,
Mandira Roy
Education Advisor at Grupology
(Download Mandira’s full response here.)
