Why This Scientist Is Worried After Studying Polar Bears For Over 40 Years

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Polar bears have been the poster child for scientists concerned about climate change. The arctic species is strikingly beautiful and instantly recognizable; they’re also in serious trouble.

The root of the problem is that rising temperatures are reducing the amount of sea ice that exists from Russia to Norway and from Canada to Alaska. Polar bears depend on that ice to hunt. Without it, they aren’t able to eat enough, and they’ll die.

image
iStock

Biologist Andrew Derocher is unequivocal about the problem. He told Upworthy, “We can quibble amongst ourselves as scientists, but the overwhelming scientific consensus is absolutely clear: Polar bears are in trouble.”

There is little doubt among scientists that climate change will be disastrous for many species. However, polar bears offer a concrete look at how a species can decline when its environmental conditions change.

image
Andrew Derocher

Derocher tracks how sea ice is disappearing and what effects this has on the bears. He has observed the species becoming smaller in size, reproducing less frequently, and young and old bears dying more frequently. 

The biologist also shares positive news, like a survey showing polar bears doing well in the Chukchi Sea region in between Alaska and Russia. Even that good news is tinged with concern. The area has seen a steady decline in sea ice over the past five years with all signs pointing towards continued losses.

Derocher has studied polar bears since the early ’80s. He has tracked and studied thousands of bears and has seen firsthand how reductions in sea ice have affected the species.

Since polar bears do most of their hunting on ice, their fat stores must last them through the ice-free days. As the ice recedes, they have to travel farther just to find ice to hunt on. This traveling burns valuable calories that would normally help get them through the ice-free times. 

When female bears don’t store enough calories, they can’t produce enough milk for their cubs. This leads to unusually high cub-mortality rates.

image
vetmed.illinois.edu

Reduced sea ice means that some areas will likely lose their entire polar bear population. It may not be too late to save the species if the planet can slow or reverse its warming trend.

Derocher applauds the efforts of some businesses to become more sustainable and slow climate change. He encourages the public to support these businesses with their wallets and reward them for reducing their carbon footprints.

image
iStock

He believes that we can save polar bears with a concerted effort to preserve sea ice. However, doing so will take a major effort by all countries on the planet. He says simply, “It’s got to change. The way we live on this planet has got to change.”

More from author

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related posts

Advertisment

Latest posts

Caring For Houseplants: Tips, Tricks And Products You Need

Follow these helpful tips to provide the best care for your houseplants.

How To Spot Multi-Level Marketing Scams, And How To Avoid Them

If you're on social media you've probably seen people making posts trying to sell products or asking you to join their "new business" ventures. Chances are you might be witnessing a multi-level marketing scam in action. Here's how to spot these scams and also how to avoid them.

Salvation Mountain And The Last Free City

Salvation Mountain is a man-made mountain built to spread the idea of love for one another, and visiting it is a real interesting experience.

Want to stay up to date with the latest news?

We would love to hear from you! Please fill in your details and we will stay in touch. It's that simple!