A couple of years ago I was stopped by a fundraiser for a children’s charity who borderline demanded I donate money to the cause. After my failed attempts to sugarcoat the real reason for my reluctance I blurted out the truth:

“I would honestly rather donate something to the RSPCA or the WWF.”

His reaction was one of disbelief. Right on cue he began reciting the benefits children would gain from my donation.

The fact that he refused to accept my decision didn’t make me feel bad, it made me more assured in my beliefs and needless to say, I continued my day, having stood my ground successfully.

So when I first caught a glimpse of the new Frozen Planet series, the enchanting footage and soothing narration from David Attenborough immediately reeled me in. I was amazed at the way a group of killer whales synchronized and worked together to catch their prey. The way polar bears treaded carefully above ice to find seals using their sense of smell and the power they possessed to break through thick layers of ice astounded me.

Life in these harsh conditions isn’t about a failing economy, nor is it about the greed of people who abuse the power they have been trusted to use for good – it’s about raw survival.

But even in the most remote places, industries are appearing exploiting natural resources, unfazed that the poison we produce is directly affecting life there.

According to a video by Ted Danson and Oceana, the largest international ocean conservation and advocacy organization, human emissions of carbon dioxide are warming these oceans twice as fast as the rest of the planet.

I was unaware that oceans absorbed carbon dioxide – some people may think that’s fine and with the combination of forests and oceans absorbing CO2, climate change is under control. But this has a dramatic effect deep beneath the surface. Oceans become acidic, which has adverse effects on marine life, more so on those that produce shells.

A domino effect ensues that affects the rest of the world. With the planet warming up, the loss of ice for people who live in these areas have consequences on their way of living.

Frozen ice on shores acts as an extension of land that allows them to go out to fish and travel. With this disappearing, coasts are vulnerable to waves crashing right near coastal communities because of a lack of ice protecting them.

Though the Arctic is somehow handling these changes to the weather, the addition of industries is more than pushing it to its limits.

If you haven’t watched the Frozen Planet series yet, I strongly suggest you do. The stunning imagery will not only leave you in awe but David Attenborough’s narration will transport you away from your reality into another that is harsher and even more dangerous, yet harmoniously in sync.

Personally, I’d rather put my money into protecting and ensuring the continuation of that.