TEDTalks: Paul Nicklen Tales of ice-bound wonderlands

Summary

This powerful narrative recounts a photographer's lifelong journey, starting at the age of four in the Arctic's icy wilderness, where he developed an obsession with polar regions and conservation. Through compelling stories, including a close encounter with the rare spirit bear, and insights on disappearing ice and its effects on wildlife, the photographer highlights the urgent need for environmental protection. His vivid experiences with polar bears, leopard seals, and the Arctic ecosystem emphasize the critical link between ice and survival in these fragile environments, urging immediate action to prevent further damage.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker's journey to becoming a polar specialist started at the age of 4, when his family moved to Northern Baffin Island in Canada, where he lived with the Inuit people.
• 😀 The speaker’s deep connection to the polar regions grew from his childhood experiences playing outside in the snow and ice, which became his 'sandbox' for learning.
• 😀 He shares a personal story of photographing the rare spirit bear (Kermode bear) in the Great Bear Rainforest, a project that initially seemed doomed after two months of failed attempts.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change, specifically the disappearing sea ice in the Arctic, which poses a threat to ecosystems and species like polar bears.
• 😀 A major theme of the speaker's work is to put 'faces' to environmental issues by humanizing the impact of ice loss on Arctic species, particularly polar bears.
• 😀 There is an increasing concern over the extinction of polar bears due to the loss of sea ice, with projections stating they could disappear in 50 to 100 years.
• 😀 The speaker describes witnessing a polar bear hunting a seal on a piece of floating ice, which represents the tenuous survival of these animals as the ice continues to melt.
• 😀 He reflects on the severe consequences of disappearing ice, which is not only affecting iconic species like polar bears but also the entire Arctic ecosystem, from microorganisms to large mammals.
• 😀 The speaker recounts a terrifying yet transformative experience photographing leopard seals in Antarctica, where he worked to dispel their aggressive reputation by observing their behavior up close.
• 😀 He shares an emotional encounter with a leopard seal that repeatedly attempted to feed him penguins, illustrating the complex relationships between species in the ecosystem and the speaker’s deep respect for wildlife.

Q & A

What inspired the speaker to become a polar photographer?

The speaker's journey to become a polar photographer began when they were four years old and moved with their family to Northern Baffin Island in Canada. Living among the Inuit community without modern distractions like TV or phones, they spent their time outdoors, which led to a deep fascination with the polar regions.

What is a spirit bear, and why is it significant in the speaker's work?

A spirit bear, also known as a Kermode bear, is a rare subspecies of black bear with a white coat. There are only around 200 of these bears left, making them more rare than pandas. The speaker's work includes photographing these bears in the Great Bear Rainforest, a project that highlighted the rarity and beauty of this species.

What was the photographer's experience while waiting to capture an image of the spirit bear?

The photographer spent two months waiting in the Great Bear Rainforest, unsure if they would ever encounter a spirit bear. At one point, they felt their career might be over, but on the final day, a large male spirit bear approached them and they spent an unforgettable day photographing and walking with the bear.

How does the speaker convey the impact of disappearing sea ice on polar ecosystems?

The speaker explains that the disappearing sea ice is not just an environmental change but a catastrophic loss for the entire ecosystem. Sea ice is essential for species like polar bears and seals, which depend on it for hunting, breeding, and survival. The melting ice is causing polar bears to become stranded and increasing the likelihood of their extinction.

What does the speaker mean when they compare sea ice to the soil in a garden?

The speaker likens sea ice to soil in a garden, emphasizing its foundational role in the Arctic ecosystem. Just as soil is necessary for a garden to flourish, ice is essential for the health of the entire ecosystem, providing a habitat for microorganisms, seals, and other species that depend on it.

What challenges did the photographer face while photographing polar bears?

The photographer faced many challenges, including the extreme cold during underwater dives, where they often suffered from physical stress like numbness and vomiting. The unpredictability of the Arctic conditions, combined with the need to capture rare moments, made photographing polar bears a physically demanding and high-risk endeavor.

What makes the leopard seal's behavior in Antarctica noteworthy?

The photographer’s experience with leopard seals was significant because they had a reputation for being aggressive. However, after spending time in the water with them, the photographer discovered that leopard seals were not vicious but rather misunderstood. One seal even tried to feed the photographer penguins, showing a surprising level of curiosity and interaction.

How did the photographer describe their underwater encounter with leopard seals?

During the underwater encounter, the photographer felt both nervous and exhilarated. After some initial threat displays from the seals, they began offering penguins to the photographer, who was unable to catch them. The interaction became playful and emotional, with the photographer laughing and crying underwater at the seals' persistent efforts.

What is the significance of the leopard seals trying to feed the photographer?

The leopard seals’ attempts to feed the photographer penguins were significant because they challenged the common perception of these animals as aggressive predators. The seals were not trying to harm the photographer but instead were engaging in an almost humorous, curious interaction, trying to share their food.

What is the speaker's final message regarding the protection of polar regions?

The speaker's final message is a passionate call to action, urging people to recognize the urgency of protecting the polar regions. They emphasize the need to conserve the fragile ecosystems of the Arctic and Antarctic, inviting others to join them on expeditions to witness the beauty of these regions firsthand and help raise awareness about their plight.