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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
from all of us at
Polar Bears International
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INTERNATIONAL
POLAR BEAR DAY
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 Did you know that polar bears have a special day? Honor
the Lord of the Arctic on February 27th by making plans now to reduce CO2 at home, at work, or at school--on this day dedicated to the world's polar bears! | |
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NEW Tools for the
CLASSROOM
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We've added a new PowerPoint slideshow,
All About Polar Bears,
to the education pages
of our website. Designed for middle school students and up, it complements an earlier presentation we prepared for elementary students.
And while you're there,
check out our new suggested reading list!
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PBI Sponsor
Natural Exposures
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 | | Send a Dan Cox Image for Valentine's Day |
Do you know where PBI gets all the fabulous images of polar bears for our website, publications, PBiCards, and wallpapers? Mostly from our friend and advisor, Daniel J. Cox of Natural Exposures. Find out how you can join this talented photographer on one of his photo tours.
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Polar Bear, Polar Bear
What Do You Hear?
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How do PBI sensory studies help wild polar bears? Join scientist Megan Owen for a quick video update.
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Author, Author!
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| | Stop by our gift shop for signed books by authors Richard Ellis, Robert Taylor, Daniel J. Cox, and Jennifer LaBella. Each purchase helps underwrite our efforts on behalf of polar bears. |
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STUFF OF LEGENDS
| This image reminds us of Inuit tales about a race of strange polar bear men who lived in igloos, spoke, and walked upright. Visit our website for more fascinating
polar bear lore. |
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| PBI Senior Scientist Speaks Up and Out
 Government guidelines forbid the inclusion of greenhouse gas mitigation as an action in a recovery plan for Alaska's polar bears. But that didn't stop PBI Senior Scientist Dr. Steven C. Amstrup from speaking up about the need to tackle this fundamental issue when he took part in a panel discussion organized by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The panel convened to brainstorm ideas for the recovery plan.
Some of the other members of the panel called the topic of greenhouse gas mitigation "the elephant in the room"--a euphemism for a reality that some people choose to ignore.
Dr. Amstrup agrees. "You can't develop a conservation plan for polar bears without addressing greenhouse gas emissions," he said. |more
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Why Does a Polar Bear Want a Tree?
Because . . . the amount of carbon stored in the trees of the forests is greater than the entire amount currently circulating in the atmosphere! And More Trees=Less CO2 in the air. In fact, do you know that 17.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions result from deforestation and forest degradation? (Source: IUCN Celebrating Forests quiz)
 So, here's some good news: the United Nations has declared 2011 the International Year of Forests--in part to highlight the role of forests in reducing CO2. Now you can join in a polar-bear friendly effort by supporting Trees for You & Me--a campaign organized by the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK). It's a nationwide challenge to see which chapter can raise the most money to help PBI plant trees.
To help your favorite zoo win--and to help polar bears worldwide--donate here. And don't forget to give your zoo the credit. But hurry! The deadline is March 1.
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100K Reasons to Love Holt, Renfrew & Co.
Dani Reiss, PBI chairman (fourth from left), and Krista Wright, PBI vice president and chief of operations (sixth from left), attended Holt, Renfrew & Co's Cheques for Charity luncheon and received a check for $100,000 from Holt, Renfew President Mark Derbyshire (fifth from left).
The chain of Canadian luxury fashion stores donated the proceeds from holiday sales of a limited-edition Canada Goose toque to help underwrite our work.
Also honored was VisionSpring, a non-profit organization that brings high-quality, low-cost vision care to neglected communities across the developing world.
Hence, dessert included a polar bear with spectacles!
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Proceedings from 2009 IUNC/SSC PBSG Meeting in Copenhagen Released
 Scientists with the IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group (PBSG) have released the proceedings from their fifteenth working meeting, held in 2009, in Copenhagen. The 237-page report covers everything from the population status of polar bears to management plans, hunting quotas, and threats from climate change.
What is the PBSG? It's a group of scientists active in polar bear research and management representing each of the five polar bear nations: Canada, Greenland, Norway, the U.S., and Russia. PBSG meets every three to five years to discuss management plans and issues related to polar bears. PBI was one of only two conservation groups invited to attend the Copenhagen meeting. Four of PBI's scientific advisors--as well as PBI Senior Scientist Steven C. Amstrup--serve on this prestigious panel.
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Making Stewardship a Good Habit
 Who's behind PBI's carbon reduction efforts? Kathryn Foat, PBI's director of stewardship strategies. A passionate educator, she focuses on saving polar bears and the arctic ecosystem by inspiring people to lead a low-carbon lifestyle--and by giving them the tools to do so.
"Studies have shown that it's possible to reduce CO2 through the power of collective individual actions," she says. "My focus is on developing a stewardship ethic and action plan that will guide us in helping individuals, institutions, and corporations make responsible choices that lead to a reduction of CO2." |more |
It's Official: 2010's a Hottie!
 But not at all in a flattering sense. The year 2010 tied with 2005 as the warmest year since record-keeping began in 1880, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s National Climatic Data Center's annual State of the Climate report.
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Love a Polar Bear for Valentine's Day
 Your tax-deductible DONATION helps
us do our work. Give as a GIFT or in
HONOR or MEMORY of someone special. Or, add us to your monthly budget with an ENDURING PLEDGE.
You can also join us on your favorite
community sites and share PBI with
your friends and family.
   
We thank you for your continued support.
© 2011 Polar Bears International. All Rights Reserved.
Marks and text appearing in this newsletter including, but not limited to,
Polar Bears International name, logo, and programs are trademarks,
registered trademarks, or service marks of Polar Bears International.
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