What happens at the poles affects the rest of the world. International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2009 was the third of its kind: A year dedicated to research in both the Antarctic and the Arctic on the that effects climate change is having on the ecosystems and the rest of the world.
Kingnait Harbour is an old arctic station from the first polar year in 1882-1883, the island has since been uninhabited and very few people have stepped foot on the island. It was also home to the first Arctic Stations during the International Geophysical Year in 1957-1958. This place is incredible. Deep valleys, soaring waterfalls, spectacular views, glacier filled rivers, and polar bear footprints made this a day I will never forget. It was an afternoon of discovery, adventure, and reflection that we will never forget.
As the youth of today, it seemed all too perfect to be visiting such a place unplanned because the ice conditions changed the initial itinerary. On the expedition, we discussed the importance of International Polar Year 2007-2009.
Why do we care about what happens at the poles? What happens at the poles, affects the rest of the world. In two decades it is predicted we will have our first Arctic ice free summer. This is going to drastically change the ecosystem, and the rest of the world. The ice is reflecting the ultraviolet rays, known as the Albedo effect. When the ice is gone, all the ultraviolet rays will be absorbed into the Arctic Ocean, warming our planet, and increasing the temperature.
As summer temperatures continue to rise, and the sea ice diminishes, and as a result animals are suffering. Polar bears are having to move inwards, endangering citizens and communities. For the first time, polar bears are being found at landfill sites, searching for food to survive.
Right now, the winter sea ice has not fully froze over in Churchill, Manitoba. Polar bears are unable to make their way onto Hudson’s Bay to find seals to hunt, their means of survival. They are staying on the mainland, running out of food, and as a result there have been cases of cannibalism. While in the Arctic I had opportunities to view these ‘majestic kings’ of the Arctic. They ran so effortlessly, and so free through mountains, on sea ice, and then dipped into the icy waters for a swim. What a life!
We even had an opportunity to view a polar bear eating a seal on sea ice while heading towards Monumental Island. It was extraordinary, and so real to see the bear in its natural habitat eating what could and may very well be its last summer seal. That will not be the case for very long, because when the sea ice is gone, where are they going to go?
Climate change is not only going to affect polar bears, but all of the animals on the planet, as species fight for ecological niches among shifting rains, temperatures, and ranges. Inuit elders are some of the most knowledgeable, loving, and caring people on Earth. They have seen the effects of climate change, and they are suffering because of it.
A fifteen minute clip of a new film called ‘Inuit Knowledge and Climate Change’ was previewed in Copenhagen last week. Hopefully, this film about climate change will increase awareness and help reach an agreement.
For more information, please visit: www.studentsonice.com
How anyone can be aware of the changes in the polar regions and not be shocked and concerned for the future is beyond me, but I know lots of people who think it’s unimportant because the poles are far away and not many people live there. The polar regions may not drive the world’s weather systems but they certainly affect us powerfully. It’s more than a warning about what could happen elsewhere, melting polar ice caps are probably enough by themselves to create disasters everybody will notice. Just takes some time to trickle down.