051. Polar Peril
usedbooks on Sept. 13, 2009
When they emerge from dens in spring, polar bears are very hungry from fasting all winter. They hunt seals on the pack ice, and if they can't get enough food before the ice breaks up, they run the risk of starvation (sometimes taking on beluga whales or walruses in desperation). Now that the ice is melting earlier, polar bears face that age-old dilemma to “adapt or die.” Yes, they can survive – if they change their habits by moving south, and that could pose problems.
Environmentalists sometimes get caught up extolling the intrinsic values of nature and fail to address the practical issues. It's because to them, the biggest issue is that future generations won't experience the beauty and wonder of our current biodiversity. It's easy to forget that this is not high priority for many (I'd venture to say *most*) people. It is unfortunate that many environmentalists stress this “save the polar bear” (or whatever) angle with pictures and emotions and empathetic campaigns rather than stressing the implications to society and daily human life. People need to consider and be informed about impacts on water quality, economy, health, safety – all things directly or indirectly affected by conservation. Sometimes I get angry at people saying “Jaguars are beautiful, save the rainforests!” NO! BAD ECO-PERSON! Drinkable water, clean air, and life-saving medicines are beautiful. *That* is why we should save the rainforests!
In other news, Used Books hits 750 pages tomorrow! *Throws confetti.* I'm also running a cover art contest.
Nicotine at 5:19PM, Sept. 15, 2009
lol, I like the "Polar Peril" at the bottom, it's clever. As a former newspaper student, it was always hard to come up with things like that. That girl looks like she's gonna get it! o_o
amanda at 7:54AM, Sept. 15, 2009
Reading your comment to Kristen, I figure that polar bears would find it more difficult to hide like grizzlies =D You'd see 'em coming from a long way off ^.^
usedbooks at 8:57PM, Sept. 14, 2009
@Kristen: Lol. If they make it this far, we're in REAL trouble. Most likely they'll just displace grizzlies -- though I imagine the people will miss the grizzlies by comparison! @ghostrunner: I'm not a big fan of GreenPeace because they have a history of extremist demonstrations. Not as bad as PETA, but I still hesitate in supporting them. @Everyone: Thanks for the comments/support!
Gillespie at 11:55AM, Sept. 14, 2009
Yeah we're really messed up.
ghostrunner at 8:38AM, Sept. 14, 2009
actually the origianl leader of green peace is quite fed up with the group for that very reason
Kristen Gudsnuk at 7:07AM, Sept. 14, 2009
I thought it was suspicious that I keep seeing polar bears around town. Now I know- it's global warming!!!
Karm2865 at 6:05AM, Sept. 14, 2009
sadly you have to trick people to get them to do the right thing.
Loud_G at 4:16AM, Sept. 14, 2009
hehe, Save the Ice caps, keep polar bears out of your backyard ;)
dontworrybehappy at 10:26PM, Sept. 13, 2009
congrats!!!!
Anubis at 10:06PM, Sept. 13, 2009
Contratultions! 750 is a lotta pages.