Shulman, Photo Discussion

 

        This picture was taken by Kerstin Langenberger on the Norwegian island of Svalbard, August 20, 2015. She posted the image to Facebook, along with a message that assumed the emaciated polar bear was a victim to escalating climate change in the region. The image went viral quickly, and began many new conversations surrounding climate change and its impact on the Arctic and surrounding areas. The polar bear looks starved, and many claimed it appeared to be hurt or sick. 

    Although scientists of course agreed that climate change was an enormous obstacle for polar bears and the greater world, some were hesitant to make this image the new face of the climate change issue. Sea ice is an important part of the polar bear's habitat, and as the ice continues to melt more issues arise. Still, scientists argued that this specific polar bear may not be suffering from the effects of global warming. It could simply be a natural, unavoidable factor, like old age. That being said, it's important to not believe that all polar bears in the Arctic region are starving to this degree due to climate change. The photograph was influential in climate change discussions, as well as making sure photographers are well-informed before wantonly publishing or posting images that could alter the public's perception of the truth surrounding an issue.