The Polar Bears

Polar bears, often portrayed as cute, fluffy creatures in children’s cartoons, face a far more dire reality. Listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2015, they are at high risk of extinction, primarily due to shrinking sea ice. The polar bears' sea ice habitat is decreasing by 4% annually, driven by human-induced climate change.

The greenhouse effect, caused by an increase in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane, is responsible for rising global temperatures. Burning fossil fuels adds more CO2 to the atmosphere, trapping heat and accelerating polar ice melt. This loss of sea ice significantly impacts polar bears, especially their ability to hunt. Polar bears feed on ringed seals from the ice edge, and with ice melting earlier and forming later, their hunting period shortens. This leaves them malnourished, resulting in lower body weight and poorer health, which, in turn, affects reproduction rates and the survival of cubs.

The consequences of melting ice go beyond polar bears. As the Arctic thaws, viruses and bacteria long trapped in ice are reintroduced, posing potential threats to both wildlife and humans. Moreover, polar bear dens are collapsing, and human activities such as shipping, hunting, and oil exploration further threaten their survival.

Polar bears’ plight is also a warning for global ecosystems. As their population declines, the seal population could surge, depleting fish stocks and threatening the food security of people who depend on fish. The disappearance of polar bears is just the beginning of a chain reaction affecting many species.

Furthermore, melting ice contributes to rising sea levels, threatening coastal cities around the world. The extinction of polar bears serves as a stark reminder of the broader impacts of climate change on all life, including humans. Addressing this crisis requires collective action. How will you contribute to the fight against climate change?