This National Sweater Day on Feb. 6, the World Wildlife Fund is putting a “selfie” spin on their fight against climate change.
The organization is challenging Canadian to lower their thermostats, don sweaters and take selfies. Every time a sweater selfie is uploaded on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus with the hashtag #SweaterDay, WWF will unveil piece of a virtual sweater through their social media channels.
By joining in WWF’s Sweater Day campaign, you not only have the chance to lower your energy bills and save money, but also to protect dozens of species — like polar bears, fish and giant pandas — whose habitats and lives are being endangered by global warming.
“Scientists around the world have confirmed that climate change will have serious negative impacts on nature, the economy and society,” David Miller, WWF president and CEO, said in a news release. “As Canadians, we need to improve our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy conservation is the quickest, easiest and most cost-effective way to do it.”
A snapshot of the impact of climate change on wildlife, according to WWF:
• Polar bears. Arctic ice is melting at a rate of nine per cent per year. Because ice breaks up two weeks earlier in spring, polar bears in the Hudson Bay area have two weeks less hunting time and are losing weight and becoming less fit.
• Fish. Stocks that inhabited waters around Cornwall, England, have moved as far north as the Shetland Islands.
• North Atlantic Whale. Rising ocean temperatures reduces the population of plankton for these whales to feed on, increasing their rates of mortality. Only 300 to 350 still exist.
• Elephants. These animals experience longer and more frequent dry spells and diminished living space, which brings them into more conflict with people and threatens their lives.
• Giant pandas. The staple diet of these animals is part of a delicate ecosystem that’s vulnerable to global warming. Only 1,600 giant pandas remain in the wild.
WWF’s National Sweater Day is sponsored by Loblaw Companies Ltd., which donates a percentage of sales of plastic shopping bags. Since 2009, Loblaws has donated $1 million annually to the cause.
Visit Sweaterday.ca to learn more about the campaign and how to get involved.
Compiled by Andrea Neblett
