Cold climate. Big hearts.

We know that in order to find solutions to the complex issues facing our planet and communities, we need to work together. And we have a track record of wins that show just how much more we can do when we put our heads together than when we butt them!  Last week, I had the chance to see the power of partnership in action in Churchill, Manitoba, of all places, and no, I’m not talking about the teamwork required to survive minus 31 degree weather -although that’s part of the story too.
We were in Churchill with representatives from our partner, RSA, a leading global insurance company.  We work with RSA on marine and Arctic conservation issues as we both look at the impact of climate change– whether through increased extreme-weather claims or addressing rapid warming in the Arctic.  This is what brought RSA to Churchill for a ‘Seeing is Believing’ trip to witness first-hand what is happening.

Polar Bear expert Pete Ewins explaining Polar Bear biology and sea ice changes (c)Riannon John/WWF-Canada
From the start, this trip was special.  With RSA representatives from the UK, India and Oman, the group in Churchill clearly reflected the global nature of our partnership.  It gave everyone a great chance to build bonds over the issues at hand and the need for multiple layers of thermal underwear!
But what I quickly saw was that Churchill is all about partnerships, with everyone working together for the polar bears and their community.  Whether it is the partnership between the local community and Manitoba Conservation to make the world-renowned Polar Bear Alert program a success, or the partnership between Polar Bears International and Frontiers North in combining their respective scientific expertise and operational know-how to bring the story of the polar bears to the world, working together is clearly a way of life up north.  And dealing with climate change and finding solutions that benefit both the people of Churchill and local wildlife is a focused team effort.

I was lucky enough to get to enjoy the company of not only our RSA friends but also some of the local leaders from Polar Bears International, Manitoba Conservation and Parks Canada at a reception we hosted our first night in Churchill.  It was so exciting to see partners of all types – local and global – come together to discuss, share and find solutions that ultimately benefit all of us.  I felt privileged indeed to get to see the polar bears and to be part of this community – a small town with a big sense of community and partnership.