Premiere polar bear scientist to speak

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

By Melanie Stein

At 7 p.m. tonight, the world’s preeminent polar bear researcher will discuss the plight of the polar bear at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Robert Buchanan, president of Polar Bears International, and Dr. Steve Amstrup, Research Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey at the Alaska Science Center, will talk about the effects of global warming on the Arctic and polar bears — now being pushed toward extinction.

The polar bear was recently proposed for protection under the Endangered Species Act.
“Whether it’s Jackson or San Diego or London, England, it’s very important for people to understand the importance of the far north,” said Buchanan.

Rising temperatures around the world are magnified in the far north. “If we lose ice in the Arctic, we lose the polar bear,” he said.

Buchanan hopes that people will make small changes in their daily lives to combat climate change and help save the polar bear. “Tonight we want to inspire people, by showing them magnificent imagery; inform them with fact-based information from Dr. Amstrup, and empower them to think about what the implications [of climate change] are,” said Buchanan.

Switching to energy efficient light bulbs, planting trees, riding a bike to work are examples of the actions Buchanan hopes people will take.

Polar Bears International’s mission is to conserve through education, according to Dick Beck, PBI board member and Jackson resident. Importantly, teaching kids and others about polar bears gives them the confidence to teach others about good conservation.

Beck expects the scientist’s presentation to bring in a packed house to the museum.

“This town is very much aware of animals. We are an animal loving town — both wild and domestic,” he said.

Tammy Christel, director of marketing at the NMWA, is excited about the event. “There is no larger global concern than the problem of global warming and how it affects all living organisms,” Christel said.

“The fact that we are located in a crucial wildlife migratory corridor means that this issue is important to our region. In understanding wildlife, we gain appreciation for wildlife art, and how species have been observed, revered and studied through the ages.”

Connecting art to the issues, an exhibit of polar bear photographs by Daniel J. Cox, an internationally recognized wildlife photographer, will support the evening’s presentation.

Photo courtesy of NMWA. Steve Amstrup and polar bear cubs.

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Premiere polar bear scientist to speak | Planet JH News Article: General Environment

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