Imagining it is horrible. Seeing it in images is terrible. But having it caught on video is absolutely devastating. Climate change is causing entire regions of the planet to disappear, and one of the many animals that suffers these changes with particular harshness is the polar bear. The loss of ice blocks access to its main food source, essentially condemning these animals to a slow and painful death.
Arguing with deniers no longer makes sense. The truth is singular, and we know what it is: the Earth is warming, the ice is melting, habitat loss is accelerating, and the number of endangered animals is rising. What we are about to show you is horrifying, we won't deny it. Some may question whether it's necessary to go viral with the suffering of animals to expose the problem of climate change. But as things stand, the answer is a resounding yes. Our achievements so far are not enough. We still depend on oil, plastic, and coal. All the laws, bans, and directives aimed at changing the situation point to 20 or 30 years in the future. That's not enough; we need more. Any lingering doubts? Watch this:
A Heartbreaking Encounter
This short film was recorded by the Sea Legacy expedition to Baffin Island, Canada. Photographer Paul Nicklen explains it with stark frankness: "We have to share what is beautiful and moving to break down the walls of apathy." The muscular atrophy, the absolute lack of energy, the constant search for something to fill its stomach. Experts gave that young polar bear only a few more hours to live (a day at most), more than it appears. They are also convinced of their predictions: polar bears will disappear within a century if we don't act, and they will vanish this way—with their heads in garbage barrels, rummaging through trash.
What Solutions Do We Have?
Solutions? We know them very well; the problem is we don't put them into practice: stop deforestation, reduce the impact of agriculture and livestock, drastically cut fossil fuel consumption, and be more efficient. The comments online shout "Feed that bear!" Even if the law prohibiting it were lifted, the underlying issue wouldn't change. Others say "We must move them to Antarctica!", but that's a partial solution that would create multiple new problems. All wildlife on the frozen continent would be affected by introducing a new predator. Climate change demands that we change ourselves. If we don't, that starving bear will become an increasingly common sight.
