Jeff Owen
ASHEBORO — That’s the bad news, but there is hope and action that we can take. We must reduce our carbon footprint. It has taken decades to create the problem of greenhouse gases and, even with appropriate action, it will take decades to correct. But we do not have to eliminate atmospheric carbon to save the polar bears and put the earth heading in the right direction. We need to stop the increase, level it off and not reach that “tipping point” where ice cannot form. Most scientists agree that this is an achievable goal with immediate and decisive action.
Most of us are already aware of how we can reduce our carbon footprint. We need to reduce emission of carbon dioxide and increase the reabsorption of carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere. Reduce emissions, for example, by buying the vehicle with the best gas mileage in the type of vehicle you need. Saving energy reduces emissions since many types of production of electricity produce carbon dioxide. Recycle and buy recycled products. Some bottled water containers, for example, are petroleum-based and therefore connected to emissions in their production. Discourage deforestation and encourage reforestation. Plant trees and participate in organized tree-planting events. And finally, spread the word and encourage others to do the same. No one can do it alone. There are many ways to take the actions just mentioned, and the possibilities are too numerous to list here. There are a multitude of organizations and web sites that can give excellent suggestions on reducing emissions, saving energy, recycling and reforestation.
The future of polar bears is in our hands. There is no risk to the action steps just described, there can only be positive results. Effects will not be immediate, and polar-bear populations will decline, but hope does remain if we take immediate action. Working together, we can make a difference and ensure that polar bears survive for generations to come, and the actions that save polar bears will surely improve countless other issues on the planet that are ultimately affected by global climate change.
connections
For more information on polar bears, the science of global climate change and what we can do to decrease our carbon footprint, visit the following:
n www.polarbearsinternational.org
n www.acresfortheatmosphere.org
n www.acia.uaf.edu
Editor’s Note: This is the final installment of an article written by N.C. Zoo Animal Management Supervisor Jeff Owen that explores a call to action for polar bears. In the first installment (The Guide, Feb. 10), Owens explored why polar bears need our help. In the second installment (The Guide, Feb. 17), Owen told us how global climate change affects polar bears’ future.
