Melting glaciers, suffering polar bears, rising oceans

This week marks a dire reminder of the consequences of climate change: melting glaciers and suffering polar bears. Sea ice levels have hit a record-low in the normally icy arctic region. This is troubling news for polar bears, a species that relies on the ice for survival. In fact, studies have shown that their population is declining due to the lack of a suitable habitat due to global warming. With their traditional hunting grounds shrinking, polar bears are struggling to sufficiently feed themselves and their cubs.

Unfortunately, the problem is far from unique to polar bears. Melting glaciers are a direct result of our changing climate, both through ice caps melting into the ocean and through decreased snowfall levels. As glaciers on land and near coasts continue to shrink, sea levels across the world are projected to rise significantly over the next century, negatively affecting everything from shorelines to ecosystems.

In light of this sobering news, it is important now more than ever for society to consider meaningful solutions for reducing our negative environmental impact. Many experts point to reduced energy consumption as a possible solution—as long as it applies to related industries like those in oil and coal. Additionally, people can consider different ways of doing their daily activities with an environmental lens in mind — like walking or biking instead of driving — as part of a bigger shift towards sustainable living..

Ultimately, the full effects of climate change will likely take years to manifest. Only by taking action now can we ensure that our environment — and species like the beloved polar bear — enjoy a sustainable future.

It’s no surprise that with climate change come a lot of rising temperatures that have catastrophic effects on some of the planet’s most stunning, endangered creature. Polar bears are some of the first to suffer as their icy homes in the Arctic Circle are melting due to rising global temperatures; but that’s not the only grief that comes with climate change. Rippling effects in Earth’s atmosphere due to humans’ practices have resulted in an increase of water levels across the world, threatening many people’s livelihoods and wiping out entire ecosystems from our Planet.

The Arctic is mostly made up of ice and snow, each supporting a diverse underwater and land community. As temperatures heat up, the environment becomes more conducive for species of fish and seabirds who for thousands of years have not inhabited this area. Warmer water also experiences a decrease in oxygen, threatening the lives of creatures that were born there.

As temperatures rise, glaciers and ice sheets melt, contributing to almost three quarters of the sea level rise we are witnessing. The consequences are staggering: over 1 million people living along coasts will be displaced by 2100 if nothing is done to combat climate change and its effects. In 2012, Greenland lost an 18 billion ton chunk of its ice sheet which is now contributing to 4% of the global sea-level rise.

What does this mean for polar bears? With rapidly decreasing habitat, polar bears are literally left hanging on melting glaciers eating seals. As the ice melts faster than it can be replenished during the winter months and springs, cubs have a harder time finding food or getting enough milk from their mothers yet to fatten up for birth. This increases their vulnerability and lowers their chances of survival.

This is why it’s so important that we make strides toward solving climate change now. If we don’t act fast enough, the impacts polar bears have to endure now may well become permanent changes to the ecosystem – leading to mass extinctions and displacements of indigenous populations or other wildlife species alike. We only have one planet – let’s make sure we keep it as safe as possible so future generations can enjoy its wonders just like we do.