KTVQ

Posted: Feb 9, 2010 10:37 PM
Updated: Feb 10, 2010 9:58 AM

BILLINGS - It was packed house at the Billings Depot Tuesday night as polar explorer, Will Steger, shared his arctic experiences and run-ins with climate change during the Montana segment of his "Eyewitness to Climate Change" tour.

For the past 45 years Steger has traveled tens of thousands of miles by kayak and dogsled leading teams on some of the most significant polar expeditions in history.

And in those years he never imagined that in his lifetime he would have to change his agenda due to climate change.

"In 1995 was when I crossed the arctic ocean and I did all my research.  I left on March 8 which was the date that was safe.  But I didn't factor in global warming," Steger explains.  "Second day out we got caught in a storm that broke up all the ice and we were very lucky to get back on solid land alive."

For years Steger relied on his dogs to get him through the journey, but these days his boat is becoming more and more crucial.

"Now, we're canoeing across the Arctic Ocean in the spring," Stegers says.  "I mean, this is something that I just can't believe I've seen all these changes in my lifetime."

Steger understands that the terms "global warming" and "climate change" now have the stigma of a political agenda.  But he says the severity and reality of the issue can't be ignored.

"The problem here is that global warming has gone political so it becomes polarized," says Steger.  "Rather than really looking at the facts, the problem that we're facing, and also the solutions to that problem."

According to the 65-year-old, one solution is the renewable energy Montana has, and if developed he says we're on the brink of something wonderful.

"The U.S. and human kind in general are on the edge right now.  That to me is a very good place," admits Steger.  "Because it forces the development.  So if we get it together we're going to do just fine.  But like climbing, if you're on the edge and you're not prepared, you're going to go off the wall."

While freezing temperatures and snowy Montana days make climate change seem like an non-issue, Steger stands by his message.

"If we don't address this soon, the environment for the young people is going to be totally different than what we are accustomed to."