The Arctic Avengers: Investigating, Developing, and Implementing Community Engagement

149 Pages·2017·21.1 MB·English

by  Erica Elizabeth Wills

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Erica Elizabeth Wills
Western Oregon University
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Engagement Strategies for Polar Bear Conservation" (2016). Honors Senior Theses/Projects. 114.
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The Arctic Avengers:
Investigating, Developing, and Implementing Community

Engagement Strategies for Polar Bear Conservation
By
Erica Elizabeth Wills
An Honors Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for Graduation from the

Western Oregon University Honors Program
Dr. Mark Henkels,
Thesis Advisor
Dr. Gavin Keulks,
Honors Program Director
Western Oregon University
June 2016
Copyright © 2016 by Erica Elizabeth Wills
All rights reserved
Dedicated to my parents, the extraordinary
and wonderful David & Donna Wills,
for more than words can say,
and to my uncle, Eric Matthews,
for the books, the cameras, and the opportunities
that inspired and fueled my love of the wild.
“It does not matter how slowly you go,
so long as you do not stop.”
Confucius
CONTENTS
ILLUSTRATIONS & ABBREVIATIONS vi
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS vii
ABSTRACT x
EPIGRAPH xi
CHAPTERS
I. BECOMING THE POLAR BEAR GIRL 1
II. CLIMATE CHANGE: CAUSE AND EFFECT
THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT 6
WORLDWIDE RAMIFICATIONS 10
Impacts to Humanity 11
Impacts to the Animal Kingdom 13
ITJIQARVIK 15
III. EXPLORING THE CIRCUMPOLAR NORTH
ULTIMA THULE 16
GEOLOGICAL FORMATION 18
ARCTIC AMPLIFICATION 21
Albedo 22
Sea Ice 24
Thermohaline Circulation 28
Permafrost Degradation 30
THE PEOPLES OF THE ARCTIC 32
IV. URSUS MARITIMUS: THE SEA BEAR
AN EVOLUTIONARY PUZZLE 44
A “RAPID” ADAPTATION 49
THE PLIGHT OF THE POLAR BEAR 57
A CHARISMATIC ICON 63
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V. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THEORIES & STRATEGIES
GATHERING DATA FROM AMBASSADORS IN THE FIELD 68
DEFINITIONS AND OBJECTIVES 71
THE CAPACITY TO COMMUNICATE 76
Establishing Relationships 78
Message Framing 82
Eliminating Perceived Barriers 87
STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LEADERS 90
SUMMARY 93
VI. TURNING RESEARCH INTO ACTION
CONCEPTION AND TIMELINE 95
PROJECT COMPONENTS 96
Supporting Organizations 96
Action Toolkit 97
Advertising and Social Media 99
Tabling Effort 99
RECEPTION AND RESULTS 101
REFLECTION 102
VII. A PROVOCATION FOR PRESERVATION 105
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: THE TUNDRA BUGGY LODGE 110
APPENDIX B: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE ARCTIC 111
APPENDIX C: AMBASSADOR SURVEY—CONSENT FORMS 115
APPENDIX D: AMBASSADOR SURVEY—QUESTIONS 117
APPENDIX E: AMBASSADOR SURVEY—ADDITIONAL DATA 119
APPENDIX F: THE ARCTIC AVENGERS—ADVERTISING MATERIALS 120
APPENDIX G: THE ARCTIC AVENGERS—ADDITIONAL IMAGES 122
BIBLIOGRAPHY 124
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ILLUSTRATIONS & ABBREVIATIONS
FIGURES
2.1 Representation of the greenhouse effect 7
2.2 Observed atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases 8
3.1 Bathymetric map of the Arctic region 19
3.2 Surface reflectivity (albedo) in the Arctic 23
3.3 Thermohaline circulation 29
3.4 Boundaries used to define the Arctic region 35
4.1 Phylogenetic map of the family Ursidae 45
5.1 Location of survey participants 69
5.2 Survey participant demographics 70
5.3 Survey participants’ identified community engagement level 74
6.1 The Arctic Avengers—Project timeline 97
6.2 The Arctic Avengers—Action toolkit 98
6.3 Real-world equivalencies to carbon dioxide emission reduction 103
7.1 A moment sharedbetween girl and bear 109
A.1 Proportional comparison of the Tundra Buggy 110
A.2 The Tundra Buggy Lodge 110
C.1 Survey consent form for PBI Alumni Gathering attendees 115
C.2 Survey consent form for those who did not attend the gathering 116
F.1 Logo for the Arctic Avengers 120
F.2 Small advertising poster for the Arctic Avengers 120
F.3 Large advertising poster for the Arctic Avengers 121
G.1 Presentation of Arctic Action’s Paw of Approval award 122
G.2 Screenshot of the myActions.org homepage 122
G.3 Screenshots of posts from myActions.org 123
TABLES
2.1 Atmospheric CO accumulation for 1750–1959 & 1959–2015 9
2
3.1 Human Population in the Arctic 36
3.2 Indigenous peoples of the Russian Arctic 37
3.3 Indigenous peoples of the Canadian Arctic 38
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3.4 Indigenous peoples of Alaska 39
5.1 Identifying the level of engagement within a community 73
5.2 Comparing participants’ identified engagement level and profession 75
5.3 Perceived barriers to individual action on climate change 88
5.4 Survey participants’ overall ranking of perceived barriers 89
6.1 The Arctic Avengers—Financial record 97
6.2 The Arctic Avengers—By the numbers 102
6.3 The Arctic Avengers—Top action-takers and CO reducers 102
2
B.1 Complete tabulation of Canadian Arctic indigenous population 111
B.2 Complete tabulation of Russian Arctic indigenous population 112
E.1 Average ranking of perceived barriers to individual action 119
ABBREVIATIONS
ADB Author’s Defined Boundary
ACIA Arctic Climate Impact Assessment
AHDR Arctic Human Development Report
AMAP Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme
CAFF Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna
CE community engagement
CO carbon dioxide
2
GHG greenhouse gas
ind. indigenous
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
ky / kya thousand years / thousand years ago
MAR Mid-Atlantic Ridge
my / mya million years / million years ago
PBI Polar Bears International
pop. population
ppb parts per billion
ppm parts per million
RAIPON Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North
THC thermohaline circulation
WOU Western Oregon University
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It does not tarnish my pride to admit that completing this thesis required an additional
two years beyond my commencement ceremony, rather than the two months I had
envisaged. Exigent, inexorable circumstances left me with sporadic intervals to focus
on the work at hand; while finishing sooner would have been lovely, I truly have no
regrets. Despite the time that has passed, I would be remiss in not publicly thanking
the people who provided me with financial, material, and emotional support.
Back in the spring of 2014, there were many individuals from various departments at
Western Oregon University who were key in bringing the Arctic Avengers project to
life: the president of Western, Mark Weiss, and his executive assistant, LouAnn
Vickers; Dave McDonald, associate provost; Tommy Love, Emily Swart, and Cara
Groshong from the WOU Foundation; Stephen Jenkins, Willy Lerum, Trenton
Nettles, Megan Habermann, Nan Lehto, Don Boderman, and Chelsee Blatner from
the Werner University Center; Kyle Rush, Brandon Hunt, Michael Mann, Bonnie
Sherrill, and Ann Barton-Brown from Housing; Adela Aguilar, Travis Meuwissen, and
Corbin Garner from ASWOU (student government); Denise Visuano and Lisa Catto
from Public Relations; Steve Carter, Alan Stone, and Jenna Bauman from the Print
Shop; Danielle Gauntz from Computing Services; and Jenna Otto from Catering.
A special ‘thank you’ goes to Greg Cronk, a fellow member of ASWOU, who designed
the Arctic Avengers logo. Additionally, I could not have accomplished this without
Krista Wright, Leah Knickerbocker, Amy Shellenberger, and the entire Polar Bears
International team; Kylie Johnson from myActions; Kristen Pendrey from Arctic
Action; and my fellow Arctic Ambassadors who participated in my survey.
Finally, there are a few individuals to whom I owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude,
who constantly went above and beyond in their efforts to support me throughout this
process, and I want to take this opportunity to thank them with a more personal note.
Mom & Dad: You responded to the myriad ups and downs of these last six years (not
to mention those of the 18 years prior) with uncommon grace, patience, and love. With
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unfailing faith in my ability to succeed, you ensured I had the freedom and support to
complete this journey at my own pace. There are no words to convey the depth of my
love and gratitude for all you have done and continue to do for me.
Robert & Carolyn Buchanan: Dearest Papa and Mama Bear! Your passion for polar
bears ignited a flame in me at a time when all other lights had gone out. Joining PBI
did not merely change my life, but the very core of who I am. You are two of my
greatest inspirations, and I shall always strive to make you proud in everything I do.
Beverly Thean & Mindy Nguyen: As my oldest and dearest friends, I cannot imagine
life without either of you at my side as my partners in crime. For the late-night chats,
calming wisdom, stress-relieving witticisms, shrewd advice, and—above all—your
constant encouragement for this and other endeavors, I thank you.
Jillian Johnson & Stephanie Eaton: What adventures we have had, the three
WOUsketeers! Despite the many long nights, endless maladies, and incalculable
annoyances that would have sent any normal person running for the hills, you refused
to let me battle the Dementors alone. Thank you for sticking with me through it all.
Dr. Gavin Keulks: You have been a caring friend and mentor since I began my studies
at Western, always encouraging me to reach farther, do better, and not give up during
difficult times. Your generosity, understanding, and kindness is truly unparalleled, and
I am proud to have been an Honors student during your tenure.
Dr. Mark Henkels: I was certainly not the easiest student for you throughout this
process, but you were a patient advisor who refused to give up on me. Your insight,
knowledge, and counsel not only helped to elevate the quality of my work, but also
pushed me to become a more dedicated scholar, for which I am most grateful.
Dr. Mary Pettenger, Dr. Emily Plec, & Dr. Mark Girod: Each of you inspired me
during my time at Western, both as professors and individuals, and I am proud to have
been your student at one time or another. I would not be a college graduate without
your guidance, wisdom, and camaraderie—thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
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