5 SIZZLING SUMMER ways to Save Polar Bears

 / by Katie Billing of Polar Bears International

1. Turn down the thermostat, open your windows, and turn off air conditioning for a few hours each day. These practices reduce green house gas emissions! We don’t need cold air constantly; only use it when you really need it!

2. Make Your Own Shorts! On summer days it is easy to run into the nearest clothing store to buy some shorts and contribute to consumerism. I challenge you to make your own shorts. It is easy to do. Go to a thrift store and find some pants that fit you. Turn them inside out and cut them at the desired length. Roll them up to where you want them and stich the sides! Plain and simple!

3. Support the Lemonade Stand. You have to appreciate the little businessmen and women who sell 25-cent lemonade on the street corners. Support your community by buying locally from the summer farmer’s markets or bringing your own cup to the lemonade stand down the block! 

4. Sustainability Projects! In the spirit of summer, create a personal sustainability project. This project could be making your own compost, starting an organic garden, making homemade laundry detergent, cutting down invasive species, or volunteering with a local green project! Stop the lazy summer cycle and get creative. 

5. Take a Trip to the Zoo. Going to the zoo is a fun summer activity. Make sure the zoo you visit is non-profit and supports conservation projects. The money you pay to the zoo can go immediately into conservation initiatives that can ultimately save polar bears. Many zoos serve as Arctic Ambassador Centers! Before you leave, make sure you visit the polar bears and let them know you are helping their wild relatives.