Did the recent Seattle cold-snap leave you feeling like you just wanted to curl up at home with a good DVD and make it all go away? Experience the Arctic all over again, (but without the cold feet and icy nose), with this list (http://uwashington.worldcat.org) of DVDs, available through the University Libraries.
Three Polar bears approach the submarine USS Honolulu 280 miles from the North Pole. The bears investigated the boat for almost 2 hours before leaving. Commanded by Cmdr. Charles Harris, USS Honolulu collected scientific data and water samples for U.S. and Canadian Universities as part of an agreement with the Arctic Submarine Laboratory and the National Science Foundation.
Arctic Territories is a 10 part DVD set by filmmakers Vic Pelletier and Ole Gjerstad. This comprehensive series looks at climate change, national sovereignty, military presence and control, as well as mineral exploitation, navigation and fisheries, and the changing lives of indigenous people in the North.
Arctic Rush, Battle for the Arctic and Strait Through the Ice examine how the shrinking Arctic ice cap and an ice-free Northwest Passage has created the last greatest land grab in human history with what could be grave consequences for the world’s economy, the environment and for the million who live in the region. Oil on Ice and Arctic Quest focus more narrowly on the potential impacts of oil and petroleum exploration.
Finally, for a bit of comic relief, kick back with Qallunaat! : Why White People are Funny. A National Film Board of Canada production, this Gemini-winning film is a witty “study” of Qallunaat (white people) from the Inuit point of view.
New films on order, such as David Suzuki’s Arctic Meltdown, and Broken Promises: The High Arctic Relocation, will be added to this list once they have been cataloged and processed.
And remember, DVDs from any of the University Libraries’ three Media Centers may be requested and delivered to any library location, usually within 1-3 days
Note from the Canadian Collections Librarian – Vive le Québec!
