May Wave: Polar Bears

May Wave: Polar Bears

Polar bears are built for a world of ice. Their fur is actually transparent, designed to trap light and carry heat down to their black skin. They can swim for days across freezing water, and their wide paws help them move over thin ice without sinking.

A quiet, powerful animal, perfectly adapted to a very fragile environment that is now at risk by climate warming.

This is the first tiny wave.

Why climate warming affects them so much

Polar bears, like many other species on the planet, are threatened by climate warming.

➤ the sea ice they rely on to hunt seals is rapidly melting, and without that access to food, they face longer periods of hunger. This weakens their health and reduces their ability to reproduce.

as their habitat disappears, they are pushed closer to human areas, increasing conflicts.

Where this wave goes

10% from everything in this wave will go to support their conservation.

For this first month, I’ve chosen Polar Bears International, a non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to the conservation of polar bears and the sea ice they depend on.

They have been active since 1992 and work across the Arctic — including Canada, the United States, Norway, Russia and Greenland — with a strong science-based approach.

WHAT THEY DO 

Their work focuses on a few key areas:

✦ scientific research ✦
Supporting and conducting studies to better understand polar bear behavior and how climate change affects them.

✦ coexistence and safety✦
Developing tools like “Bear-dar,” a radar system that detects bears near communities to reduce human–bear conflicts

✦ education and awareness✦
Creating free educational resources and leading initiatives like International Polar Bear Day

✦ policy and advocacy✦
Working in global forums to push for action on climate change and carbon emissions.

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✹ Wave Update ✹

The first Tiny Wave has officially come to an end.

The rewards have been packed, the first envelopes have found their way to their new homes, and the first Tiny Wave donation has been sent.

Together, this first wave contributed €6 to Polar Bears International to help support polar bear conservation 🐻‍❄️

Tiny Wave Club is still very small, but seeing an idea from my sketchbook become something real has been incredibly special.

Thank you for being part of this first wave.

See you in the next one! :)

Laura

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How to support this wave

There are a couple of simple ways to take part in this month’s wave.

You can get one of the available pieces (prints, stickers or wallpapers) and directly support the cause behind it.

Or you can join on Patreon where each month’s rewards are first shared.

In both cases, 10% goes to this month’s cause.

Beyond joining this wave, there are small things you can do at home to help fight climate change and in turn support polar bears and many other species:

✦ sustainable eating
Reduce meat and dairy, choose local and seasonal food, and avoid food waste.

✦ mindful mobility
Use public transport or cycle when possible, fly less, and choose shared or electric cars.

✦ efficiency at home
Switch to green energy, adjust heating and cooling, and use energy-efficient options.

✦ responsible consumption
Reduce, reuse and recycle, avoid single-use plastics, and choose durable or second-hand items.

✦ influence and advocacy
Talk about it, support environmental policies, and hold companies accountable.