Bernadette Demientieff is one of many Arctic advocates on the Gwich'in Steering Committee. The quote above is from her appearance in the recently released video "The Refuge," which was put together by Patagonia, The Alaska Wilderness League, and the Gwich'in. Watch the video and sign the petition to support this conservation effort: http://www.patagonia.com/the-refuge.html
11.30.2016
Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 290 - 11.30.16
Senator from Virginia and recent Vice-Presidential candidate, Tim Kaine, is another voice that we need on the side of increased protections for Alaska's coastal plain. The question of resource development in the Arctic versus the contrasting impact on both the people, the landscape, and the over-arching cultural significance of this place, is exactly the kind of "sacred responsibility" that he is talking about above. Please support Senate bill s.2341 for a Wilderness designation for ANWAR's "1002." Thank you! #wearethearctic
11.29.2016
Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 289 - 11.29.16
And for another Senator from Delaware, Chris Coons. Although seemingly far afield, this polar bear cub and nesting Red Knot (a bird who migrates all the way to Tierra del Fuego via stops in Delaware Bay) find common ground in their Arctic upbringing. While depicting a benign and somewhat whimsical relationship in this instance, warmer arctic waters and less sea ice means that Red Knot eggs will become prime scavenge for bears and other Arctic predators when their normal prey is harder to find. Further south along various coastal migration routes, rising sea levels will also threaten traditional Red Knot habitats. Please Senator Coons, become a signatory of Senate bill s.2341 and help to support a Wilderness designation for ANWAR's coastal plain. Your concerns about expanding drilling operations into the Atlantic should be equally valid for currently unspoiled and untrammeled areas of the "1002." Alaska's coastal plain does NOT have to go down as another casualty of short-term thinking and heedless resource extraction at the expense of both the indigenous Gwich'in people, the wildlife that inhabit the landscape, and our greater common connection to this awe inspiring place. Thank you for your support!
Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 288 - 11.29.16
A nod today to Delaware's Senator, Tom Carper. Congratulations on your recent appointment to serve as the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee -- and hopefully we can get your support (and your Fighting Blue Hen spirit) behind bill s.2341 and a Wilderness designation for ANWAR's long disputed coastal plain. The time is now to shore up progress on climate actions the world over - and to hold our country accountable to both a clean environment AND the economic growth that is simultaneously possible. Alaska's unspoiled coastal plain does NOT have to go down as another casualty of short-term thinking and heedless resource extraction at the expense of both the indigenous Gwich'in people, the wildlife that inhabit the landscape, and our greater common connection to this awe inspiring place. Thank you for your support!
11.28.2016
Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 286 - 11.27.16
Turns out I'm just not 100% awesome at keeping up on the post cards when faced with trips away from home and/or major holidays -- but anyway, in the absence of regular postings last week, a digitally created card for this cyber Monday. Hope that everyone had a fine Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends. Still picking at last year's whale carcass... thusly both a literal and figurative turn of phrase.
11.24.2016
11.22.2016
Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 285 - 11.20.16
Recent CONTINUED shrinking of the arctic sea ice -- even during the ever darker month of October -- is a fine example of how things are far from normal in our arctic atmosphere and oceans.
11.18.2016
Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 282 - 11.16.16
The Paris Agreement has global buy-in. The time is now to hold ourselves accountable and to keep our focus on a low emissions future.
11.17.2016
Harts Pass No. 323
Perhaps a lot of similar sentiments this past week... but wolverines DON'T actually hibernate, so stay vigilant and keep the checks and balances of our government accountable!
11.15.2016
11.10.2016
Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 279 - 11.10.16
Alright, head out of my disappointed butt, and back on it! Hopefully President Obama is seeing these... or at the very least he might someday see them as a collection when he catches up on all of his Presidential mail. That being said, he DEFINITELY needs to remove the originals from the White House because this entire hopeful act of sending original art and advocating for further protections in the Arctic will no doubt fall on deaf ears with the next administration.
However, taking the higher road and since education IS absolutely in need... I am committed to skewing the next several months of post card submissions towards facts and figures about climate change. It's my recommendation that the President and staff make photo copies and hide them around the White House. You know, taped to the mirror in the Lincoln bedroom, tucked into books or hidden in lampshades of the Oval Office. That kind of stuff. Perhaps if the new President sees enough of this info presented in sort of a cartoon, kid-friendly format, it will start to sink in. PS I'll be sure to give the bear some stereotypical "smart kid" glasses and other props that are easy to digest. Given the President elects predilection for stereotypes and quick judgements, this should only help with the assimilation of information...
Harts Pass No. 322
On Tuesday morning when this was finished, I was very much looking forward to the end of the election AND the first snow of winter. I am shocked for sure at the ultimate choice of the American electorate... so I hope the snow flies fast and deep!
11.09.2016
Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 278 - 11.9.16
For several years between about 6th and 8th grade, if I was having a nightmare I could spin my dream-self around like Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman and wake up. It was a "power" of sorts -- and a control that I possessed over scary/stressful dreams. I tried again this afternoon... It's not working!
11.04.2016
Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 275 - 11.4.16
With the "boys of summer" done with their game, it's high time for the snow to fly! While the official start to winter is still 7 weeks away, the cooler, darker days are critical to a balanced world.
11.03.2016
Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 274 - 11.3.16
The Cubs win! And cubs of all kinds rejoice :) A history breaking and history making game for sure. Please encourage President Obama to create a new field of dreams by making the Arctic Refuge National Monument a reality! #wearethearctic
Harts Pass No. 321
I'm pretty ready for the recent political "process" to conclude. That being said, the wolverines and I are absolutely voting for Hillary Clinton, and the grumpy weasel from the other side is in no way shape or form prepared to lead this country in any sensible way.
11.02.2016
Presidential Polar Bear Post Card Project No. 273 - 11.2.16
I didn't quite finish out the total sweep of #inktober days, but with this final "friend" prompt, I kept a polar bear in play for something like 27 of October's 31 days :) A few short months of my Polar Bear Post Card Project to go, and I'll be back to five posts a week for the remainder. Anniversary celebrations for the original Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to accompany Thanksgiving and the other major calendar holidays ahead. Enjoy the bears and please find your own way to participate in the greater political process - voting, letter writing, educating - whatever that might be! #wearethearctic #saveourseaice #climateaction #inktober2016
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