"Climate change is a bunch of statistics for many people," Robertson said. "But regionally climate change is affecting not only people but animals. We wanted to really settle in on the moments and the decisions and reactions of animals when they are faced in regional areas with climate change."
Despite the challenges of the ice retreat (the ice helps polar bears, for example, stalk and ambush seals, and is a haven for walrus pups), she and Ravetch said they were convinced that both species would endure. "Polar bears and walruses are resourceful learners, so over the short term they'll find new ways to hunt and live," Ravetch said. "But they can't do the impossible, and in the long term we really don't know what will happen to them, which is true also for ourselves. It's going to be a journey for every creature on the planet."
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