“Animals can communicate quite well. And they do. And generally speaking, they are ignored.” ~Alice Walker
Over the past couple of years, I’ve really started to dig deeper and learn more on climate change and the effect it’s having on wildlife. In particular, I’ve become increasingly fascinated with the polar bears.
I find it heart breaking that these creatures are struggling so much, with their home literally melting under their feet. I’ve done a great deal of reading up on these sea bears, as they are often called, as well as their home in the Arctic.
I felt compelled to do more, which is why I’ve decided to donate a portion of sales of each yoga tee sold (in the unisex polar bear charitee style) to charities supporting the efforts to save the polar bears, as well as work toward making the Arctic a global sanctuary.
At present, only 20,000-25,000 of these amazing creatures remain in the wild, and their survival is in jeopardy .
Due to climate change, the shorter sea ice season has decreased the amount of time bears can hunt for their prey. Polar bears rely on the ice to hunt, breed, and den. Without it, they can’t survive. Many polar bears now suffer from malnutrition and others face starvation, especially females with cubs.
The sea ice loss resulting from climate change is testing the limits of these incredible swimmers--forcing the bears to embark on longer and longer swims. In one recent study, a collared female polar bear embarked on a 426 mile swim over nine days without finding a resting place. In the process, her cub died and she lost 22% of her body weight.
Scientists believe we still have time to save the polar bears if we significantly reduce greenhouse emissions within the next few years. Yet it will take 30 to 40 years for changes reversing the warming trend to show. If we do not take action, scientists predict we’ll lose two-thirds of the world’s polar bears by mid-century and all of them by the end of the century.
Turning to the Arctic, home to the polar bears, it faces a great threat right now, and believe it or not, it affects you and me as well!
The ice at the top of the world reflects much of the sun’s heat back into space and keeps our whole planet cool. Startling data gives all of us reason for concern. In the last 30 years, 75% of the floating ice cap at the top of the world has melted, and in the near future it could be ice free for the first time since humans walked the Earth.
In June of this year, the sea ice retreat was the largest loss on record for the month since satellite records began, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In addition to devastating effects this has on the wildlife that call the polar region home, it affects every living thing on Earth.
The Arctic acts as the world’s refrigerator, keeping Earth cool. As the ice melts and the planet gets warmer, all of us will experience the effects in one way or another (a lot of us already are!)--from coastal flooding, unstable weather patterns, extreme heat, fires, droughts, etc.
Not only is the Arctic under threat from climate change, but also from industrial fishing, shipping, and oil companies looking to drill in the dangerous and fragile waters of the Arctic Ocean.
The impact of a spill on Arctic wildlife would be devastating, including significant long-term impacts on polar bears, narwhals, Arctic foxes, owls, orca and breeding colonies of Atlantic puffins and razorbills. Marine mammals, such as seals and walruses, may also be affected through the food chain. An oil spill could blanket the Arctic Refuge with an irremovable layer of toxic oil for generations--and sadly, oil-covered polar bears have virtually no chance of survival.
The polar bears face an uphill battle, but if we all pitch in, together, we can be the change . The time is now to be the voice for the polar bears, and to support the campaign for a global sanctuary for the Arctic!
So there you have it...the real story behind the newest free to be yoga tees® style. As for which charity the shirts will benefit, I’ve decided I didn’t want to choose just one to support! The reason is simply because there are so many amazing groups out there trying to make a difference, working to save the polar bears and protect the Arctic, that it was just too hard to narrow it down. I will certainly keep you posted from time to time on the charities I choose to work with!! :)
The polar bear charitee comes in heather dusk (which is an earthy blue) and heather coal (dark gray) and features the quote “Live in hope,” a French proverb. The design, printed with white water-based ink, is of a polar bear looking up at the sky. This unisex style is made from an organic cotton/RPET (recycled plastic bottles) blend. Sizes range from S-XL (with additional sizes coming soon).
Click here to shop now!
Until next time...
Namaste,
Julie
Information courtesy of the World Wildlife Federation, National Resource Defense Council, Greenpeace’s “Save the Arctic” Campaign, Polar Bears International and the Detroit Zoological Society.
