Sen. Josh Green is backpedaling on his disparaging remarks about polar bears.

In pushing for a proposed soda tax, Green, a physician, had slammed Coca-Cola’s advertising that features the Arctic creatures, saying: “Coke sells, what was it, polar bears, right?” he said. “No adult gives a crap about a polar bear.”

The Alaska Dispatch picked up our coverage, noting that Alaskans do care about polar bears. The news site pointed out that Coke’s new cans featuring polar bears are part of a fundraising effort with the World Wildlife Fund to help increase polar bear research and preserve their Arctic habitat.

Green’s office sent out a statement Thursday evening and copied Alaska lawmakers on the email.

Green’s tone has sure changed:

“As a father of two young children, I am very aware of ads that use animated characters and cartoon animals to appeal to kids. However, I’m glad my comments have brought attention to the plight of real polar bears and the destruction of their habitat by global warming.”

Because Senator Green cares about real polar bears and the destruction of their habitat by global warming, in 2007 while serving in the State House of Representatives he introduced HB 226, which was passed into law as the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measure and hailed as landmark environmental legislation in Hawaii.

“As a State Senator in Hawaii,” Green said, “it’s frustrating that I can’t do more to help real polar bears and preserve their habitat, but I can help kids fight the obesity epidemic by promoting healthy choices.”