In a few days, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge will be celebrating 50 years of protection. Tonight in Washington, DC, we are celebrating this momentous occasion with a gala featuring some of the people that have been responsible for keeping the Refuge safe for half a century.

I recently had the chance to see Arctic Tale, a National Geographic documentary film geared towards children that tells the story of a young polar bear (Nanu) and walrus (Seela) from birth to adulthood. The movie touches on a few examples of how climate change is affecting these animals and pulls at the heartstrings in the process.

In one scene, Nanu’s brother collapses from hunger and exhaustion. He dies and has to be left behind as his mother and sister move on in search of food.