Polar Bears in relation to Global Warming

The biggest threat to Polar Bears is global warming. Global warming is something that can not be stopped, only slowed. So, if we want our polar bears to be around for longer than expected, we need to focus on slowing global warming.


The Basics

Specifically, global warming is an increase in temperature over a short period of time due to human activity. Humans are pumping more carbon dioxide into the air due to industrial work. The excess carbon dioxide is leading to infrared radiation. Another gas, methane (coal, decomposition of garbage) keeps the heat energy on Earth and also absorbs infrared radiation. Nitrous oxide absorbs more energy than CO2. This gas comes from the nitrous oxide placed on crops. (15)


How this affects the Polar Ice Caps

Ice and Glaciers around the world are melting. This is leading to a raise in sea level. This could cause problems for below sea level residences. If the west Antarctic Ice Sheet melts, then the seal level raises 10 feet and coastal areas would sink below sea level, unlikely because the temperature never rises about freezing. In the North Pole, ice is not as dense, meaning that ice could be melted easier, which would cause the sea levels to rise. (15)


Polar bears need the ice to live. They use it to find food (such as fish). If it is melting, what change is there left for the Polar bear? Polar bears can not adapt to such warm conditions so quickly. The layers of their fur limits this. Right now, researchers in Polar bear organizations are trying to slow global warming, so they can receive more answers and help Polar bears adapt to the ever-changing world.


Scientist do believe global warming may take centuries because of its long processes, there are certainly several ways we can help slow global warming (including the 3 R's):

• Reduce the amount of garbage you throw away!
• Reuse as much as you can. Buy recycled materials!
• Recycle everything possible! Look up your town website to see what exactly you can reduce!
• Use public transportation! Not only does it help the environment, but also benefits the company!
• Make sure your car is in tune...or consider giving it away...or buy an eco-friendly one!
• Tell your parents to buy ENERGY STAR equipment!
• Plant trees! They absorb CO2. (16)

These are only A LITTLE of what you can do to help! Join the cause! For more ways to help, go to http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/environment/

How to help the Polar Bears

In the last post, I discussed the endangerment of polar bears, including pollution, poaching, and global warming.

Key Points of Saving the Polar Bears (as a whole):

1. The United States needs to enact more laws to lower emissions from the states. These pollutants make a hole in the ozone layer, so the sun's rays are easier to reach the Earth. These sun rays are hitting the ice, leaving the polar bears with a lack of habitat. (9) Scientists believe that the United States need to lower its emissions by 2% per year, with a hopeful 80% reduction by 2050. (11) Though this may help, only some polar bears may be left by that year.

2. Stand up for the Arctic Refuge! The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is becoming increasingly important because of the melting ice. The world needs this organization to help slow the process and help the Arctic's animals adapt. They firmly believe that the Alaskan Arctic should not be open to oil or gas or any other development that may hurt the habitat of the polar bear. (7)

Global warming is leading to the extinction of polar bears. Right now, in order to help, the general public must do things to slow global warming, which I will discuss later. If one helps global warming, in the long run, polar bears will benefit.

Polar Bear Endangerment

An alarming fact: Two-thirds of the world's polar bears could disappear by 2050 as global warming continues to melt the Arctic's sea ice. (12)

Before I discuss the reason for Polar Bear endangerment, it is important to know where exactly they live. Polar bears live throughout the icy waters of the Arctic, though their range is limited. (14) In those areas where the ice melts, the polar bears must retreat to the land fasting on stored fat. The use of land is increasing because of climate change. The polar bears are also native to several other countries, such as Canada, Greenland and Norway. (13)

The polar bear is, in fact, included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. For now, it is classified as "vulnerable". (13) What is the biggest threat to the polar bears? Climate change. Climate change, an extremely prevalent topic, leaves researchers and the general public worried. Because of the change in weather, ice is melting leaving polar bears with no where to go. Polar bears could possibly become extinct due to ice changes. Certainly climate change is not the only threat to polar bears. (2)Polar bears need the ice in order to move around and find food. They depend on the ice, which is slowing melting at an unprecedented rate. In some areas, ice is melting earlier during the spring and forming later in the fall. In fact, the main cause of death for cubs is the lack of food or fat from the nursing mothers body. (3)

Not only is climate change an important topic, but poaching, pollution and industrial disturbances are hurting polar bears also. Pollution (oil) in contact with polar bears ruins their fur, making the bear use more energy to keep warm. Because their main source of food is fish, contamination of the fish is poses health issues to the bear, which could ultimately lead to starvation in a long period of time. (3)

In regards to hunting, there is an Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears that allows the local people to take polar bears legally. This actually means under Article 1, the term "taking" means hunting, killing and capturing. This is due to the original practices of the indigenous people.


In the next post, I will explain how we can help the polar bears.


PHOTO CREDIT: http://www.treehugger.com/polar-bears-climate-change-schools.jpg

Polar Bear Attacks Woman in Berlin Zoo

Friday, in Berlin, Germany, a woman climbed into a Polar Bear exhibit and was attacked (nonetheless, during feeding time). She was bit in the back several times. Those around tossed her rescue rings and was hosited out of the water. She was sent to the hospital with severe injuries. No word on why she climbed in the exhibit, but will be charged with trespassing. The woman is lucky she is not killed. (ABC News)

See video here: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/04/11/polar.bear.attack/#cnnSTCVideo

Welcome!!

Hello everyone! I hope you find this blog interesting.

The future of Polar bears is a prominent topic in today's news. Every so often, you will see big articles written like, Is there a future for Polar Bears? or Is Global Warming Hurting the Polar Bears? The Bears have received much press. Even news magazines such as TIME and NEWSWEEK have picked up on the topic. Many people are worried about not only the Polar Bears, but of other creatures that may have the same fate: extinction.

So, for those of us who do not really know what a Polar Bear is, let me give you a few facts that I will dig deeper into throughout the blog.

Scientific name: Ursus maritimus (6)

Size: 7 to 8 feet long (1)

Weight: 900 to 1600 pounds (1)

Age: live 20 to 30 years (1)

Location: icy Arctic areas (ex. Greenland, Russia) (2)

The Polar Bear's anatomy is built for the icy weather. Their skin (actually black) is the closest to their body. Next, they have a thick layer of fat (blubber) helps keep the body warm. The third layer is its fur (2.5 to 5 inches thick) to insulate them. (1)

PICTURE CREDIT: http://www.solcomhouse.com/images/792px-Polar_Bear_2004-11-15.jpg