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The Last Polar Bear
* 200 full-color images of the polar bear in its Arctic habitat, taken over a six-year period
* All-star roster of top nature essayists, including Richard Nelson, Steven C. Amstrup, Charles Wohlforth, and Theodore Roosevelt IV, among others
* The Last Polar Bear Project is a book, exhibit, media, and educational outreach campaign funded through the generosity of individual donors and foundations.
Scientists agree that by the end of this century the polar bear will be the first mammal threatened with extinction due to climate change. The Last Polar Bear is the first book to fully document that story. The continued survival of these magnificent white bears in their warming, and melting, Arctic world is uncertain, yet their fate is also a wake-up call-compelling us to act now to stem global warming. Through Steven Kazlowski's unparalleled imagery, the most critical environmental issue of our time is brought to life.
The Last Polar Bear places the reality of climate change in our hands. We see the plight of the polar bear, an indicator species already feeling the detrimental effects of our reliance on fossil fuels, as its icy habitat melts.
Over the course of the last six years, wildlife photographer Steven Kazlowski has photographed the polar bear in its wild habitat, from Hershel Island in Canada to Point Hope in Alaska. The Last Polar Bear pairs his intimate images with anecdotes about his Arctic adventures, as well as authoritative essays about the polar bear in the context of climate change. Alaska based writers Richard Nelson, Charles Wohlforth, Nick Jans, and leading USGS polar bear biologist Steven C. Amstrup draw on decades of experience in the Arctic to cover the biological, cultural, and anthropological aspects of climate change. Dan Glick, long-time correspondent for Newsweek, addresses the history of climate change while Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Theodore Roosevelt IV offer perspectives on activism and politics.
* All-star roster of top nature essayists, including Richard Nelson, Steven C. Amstrup, Charles Wohlforth, and Theodore Roosevelt IV, among others
* The Last Polar Bear Project is a book, exhibit, media, and educational outreach campaign funded through the generosity of individual donors and foundations.
Scientists agree that by the end of this century the polar bear will be the first mammal threatened with extinction due to climate change. The Last Polar Bear is the first book to fully document that story. The continued survival of these magnificent white bears in their warming, and melting, Arctic world is uncertain, yet their fate is also a wake-up call-compelling us to act now to stem global warming. Through Steven Kazlowski's unparalleled imagery, the most critical environmental issue of our time is brought to life.
The Last Polar Bear places the reality of climate change in our hands. We see the plight of the polar bear, an indicator species already feeling the detrimental effects of our reliance on fossil fuels, as its icy habitat melts.
Over the course of the last six years, wildlife photographer Steven Kazlowski has photographed the polar bear in its wild habitat, from Hershel Island in Canada to Point Hope in Alaska. The Last Polar Bear pairs his intimate images with anecdotes about his Arctic adventures, as well as authoritative essays about the polar bear in the context of climate change. Alaska based writers Richard Nelson, Charles Wohlforth, Nick Jans, and leading USGS polar bear biologist Steven C. Amstrup draw on decades of experience in the Arctic to cover the biological, cultural, and anthropological aspects of climate change. Dan Glick, long-time correspondent for Newsweek, addresses the history of climate change while Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Theodore Roosevelt IV offer perspectives on activism and politics.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 20, 2022
"The polar bear's story is ultimately our story... carbon emissions will need to be controlled on a worldwide basis to safeguard the natural systems on the planet to ensure it remains hospitable to life as we know it. [Otherwise] we are haunted by an unacceptable thought: witnessing the last polar bear within our lifetime."- From the preface
May 13, 2017
This book combines stunning photography with essays to explore global warming and the threat to the polar bear habitat in the Arctic.
Each essay focussed on something different: a scientific viewpoint (but "dumbed" down so most of the rest of us who aren't scientists could read and understand it!), the viewpoint of the native population - the Inupiaq, an essay on polar bears, an essay on how oil drilling has and will continue to affect the environment, and more. In all of the essays, there was some discussion on the Inupiaq as well as on the polar bears and other wildlife that is affected by global warming and the change in the Arctic water temperature and lack of ice during the winters. The final essay consists of some things that we can all do to help protect the Arctic environment, and as a result, will also protect the polar bears and their habitat.
The essays were also interspersed with journal entries from the photographer. The photographs are amazing, but it kills me to see the pictures of wildlife with oil refineries in the background. Very sad and scary situation...
Each essay focussed on something different: a scientific viewpoint (but "dumbed" down so most of the rest of us who aren't scientists could read and understand it!), the viewpoint of the native population - the Inupiaq, an essay on polar bears, an essay on how oil drilling has and will continue to affect the environment, and more. In all of the essays, there was some discussion on the Inupiaq as well as on the polar bears and other wildlife that is affected by global warming and the change in the Arctic water temperature and lack of ice during the winters. The final essay consists of some things that we can all do to help protect the Arctic environment, and as a result, will also protect the polar bears and their habitat.
The essays were also interspersed with journal entries from the photographer. The photographs are amazing, but it kills me to see the pictures of wildlife with oil refineries in the background. Very sad and scary situation...
September 22, 2024
The damage of global warming
October 23, 2008
So far, I've just looked at the pictures. They are exceptional photographs of one of the most charismatic predators in the world.
I never did get around to reading the text before the book was due at the library; however, I would consider re-reserving the book to actually read the text.
It was worth it to me to just peruse the photographs.
I never did get around to reading the text before the book was due at the library; however, I would consider re-reserving the book to actually read the text.
It was worth it to me to just peruse the photographs.
February 5, 2009
A stunning collection of photographs accompanied by essays on climate change in the acrtic, the Inupiaq people, and the experiences of the photographer.
February 19, 2012
Incredible photos that illustrate life in the arctic, and a bone-chilling review of global warming.
Thanks for a work well done, including essays by award-winning authors.
Cary Neeper
Thanks for a work well done, including essays by award-winning authors.
Cary Neeper
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews