public presentation: inuit perspectives on polar bears and climate change addresses management issues
(november 21, 2008 - thunder bay, on) climate change is the number one threat to the sparse population of polar bears that remain in the world, according to a new report from the world wildlife federation (wwf). with other threats including hunting, heavy metal pollution, and plans for future oil exploration in the arctic, polar bear populations need careful management that is inclusive of a variety of perspectives.
"inuit perspectives include a very different view of animals that is not very well incorporated into management," explains dr. martha dowsley, 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜
professor of anthropology and geography. "rather than seeing animals as resources like western cultures typically do, inuit and many other aboriginal cultures view animals as non-human persons which are involved in human lives in multiple ways. these include physical interactions like hunting, but also social and cultural interactions. these are seen as key to the maintenance of human-environment relationships, and also human-human relationships. such views are in keeping with those of many other aboriginal cultures worldwide."
climate change and its effects on polar bears are a major concern for both inuit and non-inuit, but what the effects are, the quality of the available information, and what should be done, are issues that are hotly debated. in two polar bear population areas, discussions about possible quota reductions--one due to climate change and one due to perceived over-hunting--have caused so much tension in the co-management system that inuit communities and organizations have publicly threatened to stop participating in the system and remove quota restrictions from their hunters.
"this population should be dramatically reduced according to population projections over the past 10 years, yet inuit have not seen any decrease in the numbers of bears, or a decline in their health. in some parts of the area, inuit are adamant that the bear population has increased and has become a safety concern. a similar set of observations by inuit was recently proven correct in another population area that had been suspected of decline due to climate change," says dowsley. the baffin bay decision is being attacked by wwf canada, which suggests that a boycott of canadian polar bear products in europe is forthcoming.
dr. dowsley will give a public presentation entitled inuit perspectives on polar bears and climate change that will address these, and related issues. the presentation takes place on friday, november 28, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in braun building 0017 at the 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜
campus.
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media: dr. martha dowsley is available for media interview by calling lisa pelot, communications officer, at 343-8177, or commun@lakeheadu.ca.
about lakehead
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and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the northern ontario school of medicine. in 2006, research infosource inc. named 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜
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