How a Dream About a Polar Bear Inspired a Vital Lesson on Climate Change

The delicate balance of our planet’s ecosystems is under increasing pressure, yet explaining the complexities of climate change and the food chain to the next generation remains a challenge. Children often hear about environmental shifts in abstract terms that feel distant or frightening. To foster true environmental stewardship, we must find ways to bridge the gap between scientific reality and a child’s imagination, turning global concerns into relatable, engaging stories.

Artist Jane Dugan has found a unique way to bridge this gap through her latest work, born from a vivid and unexpected dream. By blending her creative talents with a deep respect for nature, she has crafted a narrative that introduces young readers to the realities of the Arctic. In this interview, Jane discusses the inspiration behind her children’s book, the importance of ecological education, and how storytelling can empower children to understand and protect the world around them.

Q: Your book began with a very specific dream about a polar bear. Can you describe that dream and how it evolved into a narrative for children?

Jane Dugan: The dream itself woke me in the middle of the night. A polar bear growling in anger and standing up to smash down on the ice. I heard an audible noise that sounded like glass shattering. As far as I could see, the ice was shattered and broken. When I awoke the next morning my quest for knowledge lead me to the First Nations legends of the Polar Bear. Known as the Ice Man, he/she travels the magnetic field of the earth protecting the polar ice. That made sense to me because I had also seen a flash of light on the left. After some time, it came to me that I was taught as a child that the polar bear was at the top of the food chain. I had been emotionally upset about polar bears drowning for lack of ice for years and now this dream. 

Then, Esther Meerschaut entered my life by a coincidental meeting at a market in Windsor. She writes children’s stories and books and a weekly column in the Harrow Newspaper. I asked her if we could meet as I had an idea for a children’s book. She penned the story of Polaris and I am so happy that we became friends. 

Q: Climate change and the food chain are complex topics. How do you approach explaining these scientific concepts to a young audience without being overwhelming?

Jane Dugan: I believe Esther’s writing is one that offers the complexity of climate change in a very empathetic and thoughtful way. When we spoke about using the food chain as an example that children could understand; it made sense that the book was meant to be. 

Q: Your background is in art and design. How does your visual style help convey the urgency of environmental conservation to readers?

Jane Dugan: As a visual artist, I wanted to display the dream I had.  The polar bear was displaying the urgency of the world’s environment in danger. That’s why I painted various images of whales, birds, etc,; along with a totem pole, images of fires, North America and the Northern Lights and our polar bear leaving.

Q: Why did you feel it was important to focus specifically on the polar bear and its relationship with the Arctic environment?

Jane Dugan: With the warming climate as Esther so gracefully wrote – one species of plant or animal leads to the next. It was created as a balanced environment by a Creator. The polar bear is at the top of the food chain. He is drowning for lack of ice when he is trying to find food. 

Q: What do you hope is the primary “aha!” moment for children and parents when they finish reading your book together?

Jane Dugan: Humans can help fight climate change and so we are responsible to do so. 

Q: Looking forward, how do you see creative arts and storytelling playing a role in the global movement to combat climate change?

Jane Dugan: It was a teacher in grade school that taught our class about the food chain. From a frog to a polar bear or as Esther writes a plant. The images in our book help young people to understand what some of the animals look like are being effected in the food chain besides the polar bear. Children are visual learners and great listeners. What they learn in their youth will last a lifetime. Let’s hope that the planet they inherit will last for many many more generations. 

This interview highlights the power of using personal inspiration to tackle global issues. By transforming a dream into an educational tool, Jane Dugan demonstrates that complex environmental challenges can be made accessible through art and narrative. Her work serves as a reminder that the first step toward conservation is often an emotional connection, sparked by a story that resonates with the heart as much as the mind.

As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, the need for creative and engaging educational resources will only grow. Empowering children with knowledge about the “Ice Man” and habitat preservation ensures they are equipped to become the environmental leaders of tomorrow. Jane Dugan’s unique approach provides a roadmap for how we can turn environmental awareness into a lifelong passion for protecting the natural world.

To learn more, visit Original Art– Jane Dugan