Jonathan Waterman: Arctic Warming

April 24, 2008

7 p.m.

Imagine the awe-inspiring Arctic National Wildlife Refuge turning balmy, losing wildlife, and bristling with oil derricks. In 2006, the National Geographic sent Jon Waterman north to investigate, along with several college students and the legendary field biologist, George Schaller (his 1956 study created the original wildlife range). Last summer, while conferring with Alaskan scientists studying climate change and oil development, the expedition discovered melting permafrost, unnatural predation of nesting birds, brushed-over tundra, disappearing glaciers, and dying forests.

Jon is a renowned adventurer and author of nine books: his Where Mountains Are Nameless: Passion and Politics in the Arctic Refuge, won the 2006 Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award.

The hour-long "Arctic Warming" story-presentation explains global warming with objectivity and scientific credibility, as well as sharing Jon's soul-stirring journey: trekking, rafting, and solo kayaking through the Arctic Refuge. He meets bears, Inupiat hunters, and caribou–shown with artful photography and a preview of his film that premiered on national TV in September 2007.

Finally, with great hope for the region's salvation, he illuminates the ongoing political controversy and how interested audience members can take action to neutralize global warming and Arctic oil drilling.