A Future in JeopardyA Future in JeopardyPolar Bears in a Warming World:Polar Bears in a Warming World:

The polar bear is the iconic symbol of the Arctic. Its Latin name is Ursus maritimus, which means sea bear.

Polar bears live in the circumpolar north in the U.S. (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Norway. Approximately 2/3 of

the world’s polar bears are thought to occur in Canada.

Scientists have identified 19 subpopulations of polar bears throughout the Arctic.

The bears are not evenly distributed. Instead, they’re found where the sea ice is most productive for hunting seals.

Polar bears are perfectly adapted for life in the Arctic.

They’re able to survive in a harsh environment where temperatures can plunge to -60°F.

Polar bears are most at home on the sea ice surface.

They use ice for …•Hunting seals•Locating mates

They use ice for …•Hunting seals•Locating mates

• Breeding • Maternal dens

(sometimes)*• Caring for their young

Polar bears feed almost exclusively on ringed and bearded seals which they catch from the sea ice surface.

There is no evidence polar bears will be able to survive on terrestrial foods or routinely catch marine mammals on land.

Wild polar bears are the most mobile of non-aquatic mammals.As with other species, scientists have used GPS collars to track

their movements in order to gather information that couldbe used to more effectively manage them.

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Halloween '99

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Jul 26 '98

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Sep 13 '98

Oct 11 '98

NewYear's 2000

Captured Apr 16 '98Given RadioJun 6 '98

Captured Apr 12 '79

Captured Nov 5 '97

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21 year old adult female was 400 pounds in Aprilof 1998 after spending the winter in a den.She was first captured as a yearling with her brotherand 9 year old mother in the McKenzie River Delta.

Polar Bear 5809: Movements and Observations

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Halloween '99

May 9 '98

#

Denned in Angun RiverWinter 98 - Spring 99

Jan 09

Nov 14 '99

Feb 26

Aug 22 '99

Jul 26 '98

Aug 23 '98

Sep 13 '98

Oct 11 '98

NewYear's 2000

Captured Apr 16 '98Given RadioJun 6 '98

Captured Apr 12 '79

Captured Nov 5 '97

0 50 100 150 200 250 Miles

71°

71°

76°

76°

166°

156°

156°

146°

146°

136°

136°

126°

126°

116°

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21 year old adult female was 400 pounds in Aprilof 1998 after spending the winter in a den.She was first captured as a yearling with her brotherand 9 year old mother in the McKenzie River Delta.

Polar Bear 5809: Movements and Observations

#Y

#S

CaptureObservation

Movements Determined by Satelite Tracking

Areaof

Map

If polar bears are so perfectly adaptedto the Arctic, why is their future in jeopardy?

Quite simply: Their habitat literallymelts away in a warming world.

Changes to the polar bear’s sea ice habitat due to global warming are the single biggest threat to the bears. The rapid arctic warming is

caused by a build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Sea Ice Loss VideoSea Ice Loss Video

What do habitat changes mean for polar bears?What do habitat changes mean for polar bears?

• Reduced access to prey• Drop in body condition• Lower cub survival rates • Drowning • Cannibalism• Loss of access to denning

areas• Declining population size

Why is this happening?Why is this happening?

• For the last million years, the Earth’s CO2 levels and the global mean temperature held fairly steady.

• Since the industrial age, however, rising GHG levelshave caused a steadily rising global mean temperature.

Rising temperatures = decline in extent

and quality of sea ice.

No sea ice = no polar bears.

 

Your actions can make a difference!Your actions can make a difference!

Reason for hope…Reason for hope…

What can you do to help?What can you do to help?

Two things…Two things…

• Individual actions can make a difference. You can make individual actions multiply when you inspire others to join your activity, particularly when you create change on a community level and influence the marketplace through your buying habits.

• We must understand the carbon cost of doing business—and corporations, industry, and governments must embark on initiatives that will solve this problem.

Here are some things you can do:Here are some things you can do:• Recycle• Turn off lights and

electronics• Set up a no idle zone

at school • Use reusable bags• Walk or bicycle• Plant trees• Grow your own

vegetables• Drink water from a

reusable container• Be a conservationist

Here are some things you can do:Here are some things you can do:• Complete an energy audit

of your home• Be a smart consumer• Replace old appliances

with Energy Star• Combine errands or

carpool to drive less• Weather-proof your home• Use a programmable

thermostat to save energy• Limit the time your vehicle

idles• Vote for candidates who

support action on climate change

On behalf of polar bears everywhere, PBI thanks you!

2013 © POLAR BEARS INTERNATIONAL

Photos: © Daniel J. Cox / www.NaturalExposures.com © BJ Kirschhoffer/Polar Bears International • © Steven C. Amstrup/Polar Bears International

All Rights Reserved. Marks and text appearing in this presentation including,but not limited to, the Polar Bears International name, logo, and programs are trademarks,

registered trademarks, or service marks of Polar Bears International.

On behalf of polar bears everywhere, PBI thanks you!

2013 © POLAR BEARS INTERNATIONAL

Photos: © Daniel J. Cox / www.NaturalExposures.com © BJ Kirschhoffer/Polar Bears International • © Steven C. Amstrup/Polar Bears International

All Rights Reserved. Marks and text appearing in this presentation including,but not limited to, the Polar Bears International name, logo, and programs are trademarks,

registered trademarks, or service marks of Polar Bears International.