International Polar Bear Day is a holiday celebrated every February 27 to raise awareness about the conservation status of the polar bear

Polar bears are the first species to become endangered because of climate change. The summer ice loss in the Arctic is now equal to an area the size of Alaska, Texas, and the state of Washington combined.

Polar bears are so well protected from the cold that they have more problems with overheating than they do from the cold. Even in very cold weather, they quickly overheat when they try to run.

Polar bears top the food chain in the Arctic. They help keep the balance of nature by preventing an overpopulation of seals.

Polar bears have developed many adaptive traits that help them survive in their icy environments, like small bumps called papillae that keep their feet from slipping on ice strong, powerful claws that enable them to catch seals and a nose powerful enough to detect prey that is miles away.

Saving energy produced by carbon-based fuels reduces our carbon emissions and can slow and even reverse global warming, which causes sea ice to melt. Polar bears require sea ice for reaching their prey. Without sea ice, polar bears can't survive.

HOW TO CELEBRATE POLAR BEAR DAY THIS YEAR?

Here are a few suggestions

Take the Thermostat Challenge. Install a programmable thermostat and lowering or raising the temperature a few degrees, depending on where you live (if you live in a hot region, find other ways to cool down, etc.).Pledge to make every day a Polar Bear Day by keeping your thermostat adjusted, insulating your home, or taking other steps to save energy.

Learn about polar bears. There are many facts and not a few misconceptions about polar bears, such as: they do not cover their nose with their paw(s).

Take the other challenges and events. This include Earth Hour (March 23, switch off the lights for one hour),Earth Day (April 22, reduce, reuse, and recycle,etc.), Endangered Species Day (March 17,reduce greenhouse gas emissions), World Oceans Day (June 8, change your shopping habits to lower amount of litter in oceans),and Arctic Sea Ice Day (July 13, save the sea ice). These events in turn have more events in honor of them.

Participate in the Save Our Sea Ice (SOS) campaign. This campaign focuses on reducing global warming with a series of events. These events include International Polar Bear Day, which is traditionally celebrated with the launch event, the Thermostat Challenge.

SOURCES

http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/our-work/international-polar-bear-day

http://www.wikihow.com/Celebrate-International-Polar-Bear-Day

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/its-international-polar-bear-day.html#ixzz3RRYtKwvo