AN innovative 'Ice Bear Project' — a mission to take a hunting polar bear carved from a ten tonne block of ice to Copenhagen for next month's Climate Change talks — was launched at Castle Drogo last Friday.

The project has already captivated supporters including major multinational companies such as Panasonic and Nokia and celebrities including Stephen Fry.

The project will see animal sculptor Mark Coreth carving a hunting polar bear from a 10 tonne block of ice, live on Nytorv Square in Copenhagen for the climate change talks.

Over ten days the public will be invited to touch the Ice Bear, helping melt it to reveal its bronze skeleton and leaving a strong environmental message.

On December 11 a second ice bear will be carved on Trafalgar Square.

At the West Devon launch, guests were welcomed by project team member William Todd-Jones, and a full size female polar bear —one of Mark's test sculptures. They then heard talks from the high profile speakers Nick Baker, Pen Hadow and sculptor Mark.

Nick Baker, wildlife presenter, natural history enthusiast and supporter of the Ice Bear Project, spoke of the impacts of climate change including the disappearance of many of the species that attracted him to Devon in the first place.

He said: 'We as a species are connected in a complex web to all the species around us. From wildlife losses to sea level rise, we in Britain will be affected by climate change and the loss of the Arctic ice, just as the polar bear is.'

Pen Hadow, Arctic explorer and climate change campaigner, spoke of his first hand experience of the Arctic and what it felt like to bring back data on the thickness of the sea ice to scientists.

'For years we have had satellite images that show the ice cover, but not how much thinner the ice has been getting.'

Mark Coreth, sculpting two polar bears wrestling as he spoke, explained the inspiration behind the work of art.

He said: 'I think we have come up with a project that captures the essence of the polar bear and their situation, and that mirrors the science of climate change on the Arctic like a glove.

'Most people will never experience the arctic for themselves, but those that touch the bear will feel a connection with this enigmatic animal whose plight symbolises so well the problems we face as a global community.'

Local auctioneer Phil Fowler helped to raise thousands of pounds as a cast of Mark's original Polar Bear sculpt and beautiful polar bear inspired artworks from West Country artists, illustrator Danielle Barlow and jeweller Jason Hancox went under the hammer.

Castle Drogo kindly donated the use of its new visitor centre and the services of their staff in support of the project.

Actor Stephen Fry, although not able to attend the night, said: 'Polar bears and their habitat should be meltingly beautiful, not melting away. A forlorn bear on a shrinking iceberg may seem like an exaggeration of a complex problem but actually it stands as a symbol of how habitats are shrinking the world over and none more urgently so than the beautiful and fragile arctic.

'Do join me in supporting the Ice Bear Project and helping raise the temperature of the debate.'

To become a supporter of the Ice Bear Project visit http://www.icebearproject.org">www.icebearproject.org