Brooke Kelsberg

Professor Malvin
English 115
11 October 2015

Polar Bears: Lost and Alone

Joe Lieberman once said, global warming is not a conqueror to kneel before- but a
challenge to rise to. A challenge we must rise to. Global warming is an extremely important
issue nowadays that many people around the world are, unfortunately, unaware of due to a lack
of media attention. However, in an advertisement recently published by Ecoeduca, a photograph
of two polar bears in a a city street shows how animals are left homeless because of the effect
global warming has on their home. In this specific advertisement, they are referring to the polar
bears of the arctic. This image promoted by Ecoeduca does an excellent job of portraying the
consequences global warming has on animals of the arctic through a strong emotional appeal that
inspires viewers to help make our planet a better place.
Ecoeducas main focus is to educate the people of today by informing them of the
dangerous consequences global warming has. They attempt to do this in the simplest, yet most
affective way they can in order to reach people of all ages. In order for one to have a substantial
understanding of how important the advertisement published by Ecoeduca really is, one must
examine the cause they are campaigning against. One of the most drastic consequences of global
warming is the extreme decrease of polar bears left occupying the wild. Global warming is
caused by the greenhouse effect, which occurs when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from

Earth toward space. Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping (Lockwood).
Human activities, such as car pollution, extreme uses of electricity and power, as well as many
other forms of human manufactured pollution are the main causes for the greenhouse effect. This
then results in an extreme climate change across the globe, especially in the arctic, where ice
caps are melting and consequently the sea levels are rising.
Most people are aware that the Arctic is the polar bears habitat. However, what they are
unaware of is that their habitat is being melted and practically destroyed by global warming. The
ice caps are melting, leaving the polar bears no choice but to swim for miles, looking for a place
to rest. Unfortunately, many of them do not complete their journey and are left stranded in the
middle of a vast sea to drown. Mothers and their cubs are separated when they try to find a solid
ice cap to live on, never to see each other again. They are left with extremely low opportunities
to hunt and mate. This has led to an extreme decrease in population among polar population,
which is getting worse every day. According to the National Wildlife Foundation, The winter's
maximum Arctic sea ice extent tied for the lowest on record. The year saw the second lowest
Arctic ice levels since 1979 when observation began. This drastic change in ice levels is going
to continue to get worse until people around the world change their ways and decide to help save
the planet from global warming.
There are many people who are willing to changer their ways in order to make this world
a better place, including the employees and members of Ecoeduca. Ecoeduca is an inspiring
network of people made up of teachers, social workers, biologists, technicians,
environmentalists, etc., who all share one goal; to inspire a new generation of humans that is
sensitized to the well-being of the environment and social justice. It is wonderful that their

purpose is to educate people on what is going on with our environment, as well as inspire them
to care about helping our planet. The company is not looking for money or any business
investments, they are simply looking for a happier and healthier planet. They post many
exceptionally well done campaign advertisements; all promoting for a change in the way we treat
our planet.
One of their advertisements happens to be the photograph of the two polar bears
homeless in the streets, living out of a cardboard box. One can easily assume that they are
mother and child. They appear to be sleeping in a frigid, misty, and filthy alley. They are
surrounded by garbage, all pertaining to human wastes such as food wrappers and newspapers.
There are indecipherable pieces of graffiti on the wall, as well as a rusted sign that reads, global
warming is leaving many homeless. The dark green and brown colors give it a gloomy and eery
aesthetic. The polar bears are huddled together in a cardboard box that appears wet and damaged,
barely maintaining the ability to remain standing. Based on the fact that the two bears are
huddled close together in a water damaged box, it is reasonable to assume that these bears and
cold, uncomfortable, and living in unacceptable circumstances. The image that Ecoeduca used in
their advertisement touches the hearts of many across the globe, which greatly benefits the effect
it has on all who see it.
For obvious reasons, this advertisement is shocking, but it is the shock factor that will
best grab ones attention. There is not a single person who would find it pleasing to witness two
innocent animals in such a difficult and strenuous living environment. This is how the company
appeals to pathos. They uncover the harsh and bitter reality of how these animals have been
forced to succumb to a world dominated by humans, who for the most part have no regard for the

wildlife who conjointly inhibit the planet. If someone forms an emotional connection to an image
they are much more likely to further research the advertisement or campaign.When most people
think of polar bears, they envision them rolling around happily in clear white snow, and ice caps
to rome on for miles. They see them playing with their families, eating freshly caught fish, and
sleeping in caves of ice. That is why this photograph is so shocking; it exposes the harsh reality
of how bad it is for these animals in a way that people can understand with a single glance. The
photograph appeals to ethos by forcing the viewers to understand the heinous lifestyle these
animals are being forced to have as a result of of human activities, and how cruel and
unacceptable it is. Hopefully, this advertisement will inspire people around the world to educate
themselves on what is currently happening to these innocent animals, who deserve to be living
happily in their natural habitat.
Global Warming is a global issue, and everyone across the globe will need to have a
desire to make a change in order for a change to actually happen. What our society is doing to
help the planet today may be beneficial to an extent, but it is still not enough. Thanks to
companies like Ecoeduca, more people are becoming informed about the harsh reality of global
warming, in particular its effect on wildlife. Since they are now more informed, they are more
likely to do more in order to help our planet. It is important for more people to see
advertisements and campaigns like the one put out by Ecoeduca, because only then will everyone
become inspired and motivated to save our planet and all who inhibits it.
Works Cited
Derocher, Andrew. "Status and Threats." Status and Threats. Polar Bears International,
n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.

Lockwood, Mike. "Climate Change Causes: A Blanket around the Earth." Climate
Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. NASA, n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.
"Global Warming Effects Information, Global Warming Effects Facts, Climate Change
Effects - National Geographic." National Geographic. National Geographic, 1 Jan. 2007. Web.
12 Oct. 2015.
About Us." Ecoeduca. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.
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