Big Picture Science Amazing Arctic
Mar 17, 2025
Jon Waterman, an author who has spent decades in the Arctic, shares fascinating stories about his encounters with wildlife, including a polar bear that tracked him. Twila Moon, a glaciologist, delves into alarming climate changes, noting that the Arctic is warming four times faster than elsewhere. They discuss the profound impact of melting ice on wildlife and Indigenous communities, and Waterman reflects on the breathtaking beauty and fragility of this unique ecosystem. Their perspectives highlight the urgent need for action in the face of climate change.
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First Arctic Impression
- John Waterman's first Arctic experience in 1983 was deeply impactful, describing the landscape as "hallucinogenic."
- The vast, treeless tundra and mirages created a sense of scale and disorientation unlike anything he had experienced before.
Caribou Encounter
- Waterman describes the Arctic as a desert where wildlife sightings can be rare, but encountering migrating caribou changes everything.
- The clicking of caribou heels, their grunts, and the rush of a wolf chasing one past his tent created a vivid sensory experience.
Grizzly Bears
- Waterman explains that brown bears and grizzlies are the same species, with the latter being smaller and more aggressive due to limited food in the Arctic.
- Their ranges are also much larger compared to coastal bears who have abundant salmon.
