Interview with Barbara Nielsen, Polar Bears International

Polar bear on ice - Photo courtesy of Kieran McIver / polarbearsinternational.org

If you enjoyed our article on Churchill, the town of polar bears, and want to learn more about polar bears, this article is for you!

We had the honor to interview Barbara Nielsen, Senior Director of Communications at Polar Bears International.

Keep reading to find out more about their mission, their work, and polar bears!

What is the mission of Polar Bears International?

Polar Bears International’s mission is to conserve polar bears and the sea ice they depend on. We also work to inspire people to care about the Arctic, the threats to its future, and the connection of this fragile ecosystem and to our global climate.

What are the biggest challenges polar bears are facing right now?

Sea ice loss due to climate change is the primary threat to polar bears throughout the Arctic. Polar bears rely on sea ice to reach their seal prey. Scientists predict that without action on climate change, we will lose all but a few polar bear populations by the end of the century. Other threats include pollution, commercial disturbances, disease, and overharvest.
Of these, climate change is by far the biggest threat. Ultimately, the only way to save polar bears is to greatly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing their sea ice habitat to melt. 

Polar bear resting - Photo courtesy of BJ Kirschhoffer / polarbearsinternational.org

In your opinion, what is the impact of tourism on polar bear populations?

The short answer is that we don’t know. Such studies are challenging to set up and conduct, so very little research has been done in this area. But understanding the impact is increasingly important as tourism in the Arctic grows.

We need data, for example, to make informed decisions on viewing-distance guidelines. Those distances will likely vary depending on how bears are being viewed, whether that’s on foot, on land, or from a boat. They may also vary in the time of year or the activity that the bear is engaged in when sighted.

At Polar Bears International, we have started to gather information to inform future research on human impacts to help with setting science-based guidelines. We are currently surveying the findings from all previous studies on the impact of human activities and disturbances on black, brown, and polar bears. From there we will map out the work that needs to be done and will publish our findings and share them with interested parties.

How can tourism be a tool and not a threat for polar bear protection?

At Polar Bears International, we have long supported respectful tourism to see polar bears in their natural habitat. Seeing polar bears in the wild and learning about the challenges they face can inspire people to care and get involved in their conservation.

Those privileged to see polar bears in the wild can bear witness to the changes taking place and the need to take action to preserve these magnificent animals and their threatened ecosystem.

The gaze of a polar bear - Photo courtesy of Erinn Hermsen / polarbearsinternational.org

We recently went to Svalbard and saw you were leading a project there. Have you noticed any difference in the degree of threat between polar bears in Europe and polar bears in Northern America?

We have an ongoing Polar Bear Maternal Den Study Project in Svalbard in partnership with the Norwegian Polar Institute and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. In addition, we have a pop-up interpretative center, the Polar Bears International Ice House, that is open to the public in the spring and summer in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.

As for the degree of threat, polar bears across the Arctic all face the same problem: sea ice loss from climate change. The most threatened populations at present are the Southern and Western Hudson Bay polar bears in Canada, which are predicted to become locally extinct within the next few decades if nations fail to meet the goals set at the Paris Climate Agreement. These bears are considered harbingers for what is to come for other populations if climate change continues unabated.

What can our readers, and people, do to help polar bears?

●      You can talk about climate change and why it matters to you with your friends, family, and colleagues. By making climate change part of everyday conversations, you’ll help make it a kitchen table issue and a policy priority.

●      You can get involved with community projects that will help make a difference on a scale beyond your own household (because individual actions alone won’t get us where we need to be). This might mean advocating for electric buses, working with schools on no-idle zones, or supporting local bike lanes, farmers’ markets, and renewable-energy initiatives.

●      You can vote with the climate in mind, in each and every election, at every level of government—because we need policy changes to create sustainable systems. You can also regularly contact your representatives in support of climate action. And you can encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to join you in getting involved.

Who wouldn’t want to help protecting such a magnificent animal? - Photo courtesy of BJ Kirschhoffer / polarbearsinternational.org

●      You can follow a conservation ethic in your own life, whether it’s switching to a clean energy source (most utility companies offer this option), supporting companies that are taking meaningful steps to lower their emissions, or helping to bring about a shift to sustainable food systems by shopping at your local farmers’ market—and then talk about these choices with others, helping to make a climate-friendly living a social norm.

●      And finally, you can donate in support of Polar Bears International’s efforts.

What are some fun facts about polar bears?

●      Polar bears are marine mammals. Their scientific name—Ursus maritimus—means “sea bear.”

●      Polar bears have black skin, and their hair isn’t actually white—each hair shaft is pigment-free and transparent with a hollow core that scatters and reflects visible light.

●      Polar bears are the largest four-legged predator. Adult males normally weigh 775 to more than 1,300 pounds.

●      Polar bears can eat over 100 pounds of blubber in one sitting! Seals are the only food source with a high enough fat content and enough calories to keep a polar bear healthy.

●      Polar bears depend on sea ice for survival, using it to hunt their seal prey.

Playful polar bear - Photo courtesy of Erinn Hermsen / polarbearsinternational.org

Is there hope for polar bears? How can people help?

It’s not too late to turn this around, but we need to take aggressive action soon to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many of the changes needed are at the policy level, so it’s important to vote with the climate in mind and to let our leaders know we want action.

Climate change affects polar bears and people—the more global warming is acknowledged in public conversation, the more likely we’ll be to slow it.

Polar Bears International has a two-pronged approach to polar bear conservation, addressing both long- and short-term threats.

The overarching threat to polar bears is sea ice loss from human-caused climate warming.

●      Ultimately, the only way to save polar bears is to greatly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing the sea ice to melt. Polar bears rely on sea ice to reach their seal prey.

●      But it’s not just about polar bears: the rapidly changing climate also threatens our own future.

●      Polar Bears International’s research into the impacts of a warming Arctic adds to our understanding and underscores the urgent need to act.

●      Polar Bears International’s education and outreach efforts inform, inspire, and provide a powerful platform for sharing solutions—amplifying the voices of people around the world.

Polar bear mom and cubs - Photo courtesy of BJ Kirschhoffer / polarbearsinternational.org

While action on climate warming is the ultimate answer for polar bears, Polar Bears International also works to ensure we keep healthy populations in the short term.

●      More immediate threats to polar bears range from industrial disturbances to conflict with people.

●      Polar Bears International’s conflict-reduction efforts help keep polar bears and people safe, reducing negative encounters and keeping both from harm.

●      Our polar bear maternal den studies add to our understanding of the behavior of families at den sites, including their sensitivity to disturbances.

●      Our development of den-detection tools will help researchers find dens under the snow. By protecting dens, we’ll protect cubs, keeping them safe during this vulnerable time in their life.

●      Our support of long-term monitoring and other research provides valuable data for management decisions.  

Spread the word about polar bears! - Photo courtesy of BJ Kirschhoffer / polarbearsinternational.org

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Barbara Nielsen, Senior Director of Communications and Erinn Hermsen, Digital Marketing and Media Manager at Polar Bears International, for their invaluable contributions and tireless dedication to our mission of protecting these magnificent creatures. At Penguin Trampoline, we are Polar Bear Patrons, and we encourage our readers to join us in making a donation to further our shared cause.

Thank you for your support.