Arctic Sea Ice Day AAC Toolkit

Why Does It Matter?

It’s important that we protect healthy ocean ecosystems. Sea ice is much more than a frozen hunting platform for polar bears: It supports the entire Arctic food chain! When ocean water gets cold enough to freeze, it expels salt, causing channels to form inside the ice. As sunlight filters through, algae grow within these channels, creating an underwater garden that forms the base of the food chain. Together, we can preserve this threatened habitat for polar bears, people, and other wildlife.

The Arctic is warming four times as fast as the rest of the planet, causing the sea ice to melt. In several regions around the Arctic, this is reducing the time polar bears have to hunt seals, increasing their fasting period and forcing them to rely on their fat stores for longer periods. If the Arctic continues to warm at the current rates, we will see fewer polar bears in fewer places across the Arctic, making them more vulnerable to extinction.

As a member of Polar Bears International’s Arctic Ambassador Center Network, which includes zoos and aquariums in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, you have an opportunity to talk about climate warming and its impacts on polar bear populations consistently and to change the conversation to be positive, civic-minded, and solutions-focused.

In this toolkit, we will share ways to #TalkAboutIt from our partners at @NNOCCI, who research effective climate communications strategies and provide tools to start more effective conversations. Read through and reference the quick links below.

AAC Tools

Beluga Cams

Immerse yourself in our Beluga Cams, streaming live from the Churchill River and Hudson Bay.

Make Your Voice Heard!

Elections are happening around the world this year, and the results will have major impacts on climate action. Help us spread awareness and drive change. We plan to use these videos in a social media campaign to inspire others to vote, speak up, and get involved.

How to Talk About Changing Arctic Sea Ice

Learn how to talk about climate change with your community.

Photo: BJ Kirschhoffer

Photo: Madison Stevens / Polar Bears International

Marissa Krouse with a Vote for Polar Bears sign

Photo: Devon Albeit Photography

Wind turbines and solar panels in the arctic

AAC Tools

Beluga Cams

Immerse yourself in our Beluga Cams, streaming live from the Churchill River and Hudson Bay.

Make Your Voice Heard!

How to Talk About Changing Arctic Sea Ice

Learn how to talk about climate change with your community.

Upcoming Broadcasts

Join us on Arctic Sea Ice Day, July 15, at approximately 3 p.m. CT as we launch our Beluga Boat Cams and discuss Arctic ecology, sea ice, and beluga whales, live from the Churchill River! Tune in LIVE to learn more about polar bears, belugas, and Arctic sea ice!

Create Your Own Content

As trusted messengers we invite you to be a part of a collective effort to Talk About It! Write up your own post or use some of the sample language below.

Key Links & Polar Bears International Handles

Twitter: @PolarBears
Facebook: @PolarBearsInternational
Instagram: @polarbearsinternational
Short Link for more information: pbears.org/arcticseaiceday

Hashtags

#ArcticSeaIceDay #SaveOurSeaIce #TalkAboutIt #ClimateAction

Sample Posts

Please share these sample posts on social media along with one of our included graphics to spread the word. Kindly tag Polar Bears International and/or share a link to our website. We deeply appreciate your support!