Steven Amstrup, a senior scientist with Polar Bears International, will visit the University of Idaho as part of the “Oceans, Ice and Climate” change seminar at 7 p.m. April 25 in the historic UI Administration Building Auditorium, sponsored by the UI Sustainability Center and the Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences. Attendance is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about sustainable living and environmental conservation programs from local non-profit organizations and the UI Sustainability Center.
Although the majority of Americans recognize climate change is a occurring, very few understand the causes and implications of rising temperatures, leading climate change to rank among the least important public concerns. But climate change can have significant impacts on local communities.
“Eco-tourism for fishing and hunting, as well as for other outdoor activities such as rafting and hiking, is a major part of Idaho’s rural communities,” Rob Lonsinger said. “It is important that Idahoans understand how rising temperatures can impact these natural resources and to consider how these changes may influence local economies.”
Yet, climate change has effects far beyond fishing and hunting in Idaho. As part of the 2013 Earth Week festivities, world-renowned polar bear researcher Steven Amstrup will deliver a telling tale of declining polar ice and how wildlife species are responding. In addition to being a UI alumnus, Amstrup has devoted more than 30 years to studying polar bears as a researcher for the U.S. Geological Survey. Reports from his research team in 2007 and 2008 led to the listing of polar bears as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. As a senior scientist with Polar Bears International, Amstrup has recently been awarded the highest honor for animal conservation both internationally (Indianapolis Award) and in Germany (Our Earth Bambi Award) for his contributions to polar bear conservation.
This second event in the “Oceans, Ice and Climate Change” seminar series will address impacts of climate change on polar ice caps, rising ocean levels and the persistence of declining wildlife species, such as the polar bear. Amstrup’s presentation is part of a $2,560 UISC student-led grant initiated by Matt Mumma and Rob Lonsinger, two PhD students in Wildlife Sciences.
This seminar seeks to inspire the community to educate their peers and assert their influence on local, state, and federal governments in regards to climate change policy. This project is funded by the UI Sustainability Center grant program, which awards up to $9,000 annually to student-led projects.
Additional questions regarding Amstrup’s talk should be directed to Rob Lonsinger at [email protected]