polar bear initiative

background: as if we don’t hear enough about this! but it's for good reason; the arctic is like earth’s thermostat. as recent as 2002 is when the world first started to become familiarized with the term ‘climate change.’ a term that we’ve all come to know and love. the arctic covers 5.4  million square miles, roughly 1.5 times the size of the united states, and touches eight different countries including canada, greenland, iceland, russia, norway, sweden, finland, and the usa (alaska). although polar bears are the most iconic and beloved, the arctic is home to a diverse scene of wildlife including the arctic fox, narwhal, pacific salmon, beluga, brown bear, walrus, arctic wolf, and gray whale. the term ‘arctic’ is actually derived from the greek word for bear, arktos. however this doesn’t come from the prominent polar bear, but instead from the constellations ursa minor (little bear) and ursa major (great bear) found in the northern skies. 

importance&threats: even though the arctic may seem like a very distant issue to worry about, there’s a number of ways it directly impacts all of us, no matter where you are. one of the biggest issues currently affecting the arctic is the rapid rate of ice melt. this is important because 75% of the planet’s freshwater is found within arctic glaciers, and at a melting rate of 13% per decade, aka we’re losing enormous freshwater reserves that are far more difficult to regain than to lose. not only does this disrupt wildlife, but it also threatens to raise the sea level. current predictions estimate that if the ice continues to melt at its current pace, sea levels could rise up to 195 feet, destroying countless oceanside communities and wildlife habitats across the globe. the arctic is home to several million people, many of which are indigenous people who have adapted to live in the harshest of environments. the arctic, as well as these people, are facing threats from oil and gas development, fisheries management, and mining/shipping traffic. still however, the single greatest threat facing the arctic is climate change, with the temperatures expected to warm at a pace two to three times greater than the rest of the world. even a slight shift in temperature could potentially result in an ice-free arctic within this century. 

how we help: there’s nothing more gratifying for us than to help fight this global crisis. our vision is a world powered by renewable energy, where communities and ecosystems are resilient in the face of climate changes. for this tee, we’re honored to partner with Polar Bears International, the only conservation organization dedicated solely to wild polar bears. made up of a dynamic team of passionate conservationists, scientists, support staff, and volunteers- all working diligently to address both the long- and short-term challenges that polar bears face. their mission is to conserve polar bears and the sea ice they depend on. they also work to inspire people to care about the arctic, the threats to its future, and the connection of this fragile ecosystem to our global climate. together, we can ensure polar bears roam the sea ice for generations to come. after all, the polar bears' future is not separate from our own. their story is our story. as a visitor to our shop, and a citizen of the world, you play an important role—now and in the future.