(CP, 9 November 2009) -- IQALUIT, Nunavut - The Olympic torch is continuing its journey through Canada's north today and some scientists are hoping it will shine an international light on the plight of the polar bear. Environmentalists say the polar bear is in grave danger because of climate change and they're hoping people will shift their focus from the Games to think about global warming.

Andrew Derocher, biologist at the University of Alberta, says the Vancouver Olympics has a strong northern component so it's only natural to focus on the challenges facing the Arctic. He says global warming is thawing Arctic sea ice, slowly destroying the crucial habitat and hunting ground of the polar bear.

But some Inuit say the torch relay is not the time to debate the fate of the polar bear. They say there are twice the polar bears now than there were 40 years ago and the only thing the torch bearers should worry about is avoiding an encounter with a polar bear.

Tagged: Arctic, News