I teach fifth grade in a rural, upstate New York public school. What’s the most important thing I can teach or have my students do to fight global warming? – Jon Abbott, Mannsville, N.Y.
Ann Bancroft, polar explorer and climate activist.
I always start small. First, help them understand how we live and the effects we have. Then talk about the simple changes. Use cloth instead of paper towels, hang clothes out instead of using the dryer, shut the car off in bank and fast-food drive-throughs, etc. Small cutbacks begin to grow as empowerment grows.
Fifth-graders are also great at letter-writing to local politicians, once they understand the issues and what our leaders can do.
Why should anyone work to “save the earth” when 3 percent of the people own 84 percent of it? At best your efforts will only save 16 percent of the earth, so why not concentrate on making rich people pony up? – John Bailo, Kent, Wash.
I think we should all work to save the earth — and save ourselves. To me it’s not a “pony up” question. As many people as possible need to take responsibility in engaging to solve this crisis. For me it is where the hope resides and will prevail: many people, many solutions, and many collaborations.
Which brands of gear do you use? – Brandon Hoover, Mount Morris, Mich.
We mix a lot of brands to get what we need for specific expeditions. So it changes.
What advice would you give to schoolchildren who aspire to do what you do? – Marie Fisher, Telford, Pa.
I started camping around the fourth grade. I was drawn to it and so sought out places to begin to build my skill base. It’s like anything else — doing the homework to build the foundations. So for me, over time the trips just got longer and longer. But it didn’t happen overnight.
In the picture of you and Liv, are you wearing real fur? There are so many warm alternatives to wearing real fur, and most fur trim comes from China, where animals are raised in intensive confinement. — Andrea Marion, Waterford, Conn.
The fur ruff you see in the picture is indeed real fur. We have never found a good alternative to the real fur ruff. We get our ruffs from native hunters from northern Canada. They do not come from farms or animals in confinement.
What is your favorite book about polar exploration? – Joseph Pierson, New York, N.Y.
No questions, just a comment. You are one bad-ass woman! The things you have done are simply astounding. Good luck, both with your future adventures and in communicating your message regarding global warming. You and your story are truly inspirational. – Jesse Logan, Emigrant, Mont.
Thank you — I’ve been so fortunate.
