The North Pole is, for centuries, a destination that has fascinated and enthralled mankind. Today, the distance to the North Pole has been shortened and yet, it continues to be unreachable for most of us. All that we do in our everyday lives affect both our immediate and the global environment; even our overseas travelling is directly linked to climate change.
Every trip to the poles is in fact a trip for reflection. Comparing Hong Kong’s pollution with our neighbouring regions, I wish to bring the message of environmental protection and polar preservation to everyone.
“The North Pole is sparsely populated by humans and the polar animals are not frightened of people, imagining us to be part of their habitat.”
The Arctic and Antarctic Oceans and the ice they contain are important components of the global climate system. During midsummer in the Arctic, when the sun is up and the skies are brilliantly clear, the temperature of around 6 degrees Celsius is a far cry from the popular perceptions of the Arctic as a place of icy coldness. It is only on the glaciers and in the waters of the Arctic Ocean that temperatures fall below 0 degrees. At around this time every year, there are quite a number of visitors and tourists from nearby northern Europe. Polar bears are often seen around these parts and since the International Polar Bear Agreement prohibits the indiscriminate shooting and killing of polar bears, residents and visitors can be seen carrying hunting rifles for self protection.
The North Pole is sparsely populated by humans and the polar animals are not frightened of people, imagining us to be part of their habitat. This bird flew here uninvited and perched itself outside the hotel window. This is exactly what tourists come to see at the North Pole. Development is often the source of environmental destruction. I hope the North Pole will be an exception.
“Development is often the source of environmental destruction. I hope the North Pole will be an exception.”
I came across a few shops selling fur coats made from the pelts of deer, seals, foxes and yes, polar bears. For their economic needs, the Inuit people are permitted an annual quota for hunting polar bears. Still, it makes one sad to see animals being killed for commercial purposes. In styling ourselves the masters over all creation, we continue to kill indiscriminately. What will be our end?
The vast expanse of sky and land at the North Pole is not desolate but blissful. It makes us reflect on the kind of city life that we are used to. Standing on the permanently frozen river, time seems to lose its purpose. It is as if that fleeting moment has become eternity, and that eternity is but a fleeting moment.
Dr Rebecca Lee Lok-sze
Founder, China Polar Museum Foundation
