From Shangri-La to the Arctic

Author: Pu Chunkun, Fang Zhendong / Country:
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: Fang Zhendong has seen many skeletons of bowhead whales along the coast. From the whale skeletons, one can imagine their enormous size—it could be said that they are the largest animals he has ever seen in the water. The whale skeletons are large enough to support a decent tent. Compared to the fish he has encountered in the rivers of Shangri-La, where he grew up, the bowhead whales are truly like David meeting Goliath. The bowhead whales lying on the beach are usually unscathed, with only their skeletons remaining, along with a considerable amount of fresh whale meat. Here, after catching bowhead whales, the Inuit follow certain distribution principles, ensuring that every household is taken care of. Mutual respect for the elderly and care for the young are deeply ingrained, a kind of compassion that resembles the customs of many ethnic regions in Yunnan, where everyone shares the wine and meat. This reflects the pure and natural essence of people's hearts.
In the past, it was commonly believed that the Inuit lived in igloos made of ice blocks. However, this is no longer the case. They only build igloos on hunting trips, and they are first-class craftsmen who can construct an igloo in a short time. These crystal-clear houses not only protect against wind but also keep out the cold, showcasing the Inuit's skills honed by their unique environment. Immersed in such a setting, Fang Zhendong felt as if he had stepped into a fairy tale.
Today, while some Inuit live in houses built by the government, most reside in low-rise wooden houses they have built themselves, forming small and large villages with an original charm. The houses are painted in various colors, adding vibrancy to their somewhat monotonous living environment and embellishing the silver world around them. Each wooden house has a drying rack in front, primarily used to air-dry the meat and furs of their hunted prey.
In the Inuit culture, men are brave hunters, primarily responsible for providing food and warmth for their families, while women are skilled homemakers, handling household chores and processing animal furs into crafts and leather clothing. In this regard, women are also highly skilled artisans. Fang Zhendong saw Inuit leather crafts in the U.S. market. Though not exquisite, they possessed a raw and rustic beauty, and their prices were reasonable.
During his conversations with the Inuit, they were very curious about the purpose of the visit. They asked Fang Zhendong if the team led by Dr. Alero was there for tourism or something else. Fang Zhendong explained that they were specifically studying global warming. The Inuit nodded with smiles, occasionally taking puffs from cigarettes in their hands.
Global warming is primarily caused by industrial pollution in human society, which continuously increases the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Scientists refer to this phenomenon as the "greenhouse effect." Why does this happen? Research shows that there is a direct and close relationship between climate warmth and the concentration of carbon dioxide. Due to the excessive use of coal and oil by humans, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been steadily increasing. The oxygen released by green plants through photosynthesis is difficult to reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide, and polluted air has clearly taken the upper hand, leading to higher temperatures and the greenhouse effect on Earth.
For the Inuit, who have lived in the Arctic and Alaska for generations, when asked about global warming, they exclaimed, "No! No!" When asked why, they excitedly explained, "If the climate warms, glaciers will move northward, and animals like polar bears, whales, sea lions, and seals will also move north. This will affect hunting and make their abundant material life scarce."
Of course, we currently prohibit the hunting of animals, but the Inuit in the Arctic cannot survive without it. They are not only far from the center of power but are also born hunters, and their unique environment has shaped their customs and civilization. This is a way of survival—is it reasonable? Is it legal? But I believe it is better than the modern civilization that is now encroaching upon them. If outsiders were allowed to participate in the hunting of polar animals, the combination of precise, advanced weapons and frenzied killing would quickly erase this primitive civilization.
Even in the Arctic, hunting animals is still restricted—for example, only hunters with a "green card" can hunt polar bears. Who can kill? Who cannot? Is this privilege granted by whom reasonable?
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