Climate change is quietly diminishing the population of polar bears in the Arctic

In the Arctic, polar bears, one of the most iconic species on the planet, are facing a daunting challenge. The Arctic is warming about twice as fast as other places, causing the ice that polar bears depend on to melt away quickly. Over the past 20 years, the ice in winter has gone down by a third, and it's happening faster. Even Greenland, covered in ice for thousands of years, is losing ice at a rate we've never seen before, and it could be even worse if we don't do something about it.

The global population of polar bears, estimated at around 22,000 to 31,000 individuals, is scattered across the Arctic. These bears, whose lives are closely linked to the sea ice, are facing a crisis that threatens not just their existence but the delicate balance of their entire ecosystem.

Polar bears are dependent upon Arctic sea ice for survival. They travel hundreds of miles across this critical habitat, hunting for prey and building snow cave dens to raise their cubs. More than 96 per cent of the polar bear’s critical habitat is sea ice, and just four per cent is onshore. However, the declining area and thickness of the polar bear’s ice sheet habitat are causing them to spend more time on land.

In the 1980s, polar bears would spend most of their summer months on sea ice searching for prey, and would only spend a couple of weeks onshore. Scientists predict that by 2040, more than half of the polar bear population will spend three to four months, or more, on land. 

When sea ice melts in the summer months, polar bears are forced to swim long distances in search of food. While polar bears are strong swimmers, capable of swimming for hours on end, it takes a lot more energy for them compared to walking, resulting in energy loss and malnutrition. 

This shift in distribution is leading to more conflicts with humans, as bears spend more time closer to settlements and activities, including oil and gas industry facilities.

Climate change is also affecting the food web in the Arctic, making it harder for polar bears to find enough food. As the Arctic Ocean gets warmer, it leads to a decrease in phytoplankton and zooplankton, the small creatures at the bottom of the food chain. This has a domino effect on bigger animals, like seals, which are polar bears’ primary prey. With less food around, polar bears have to compete more with other Arctic animals, like the Arctic fox, reducing the overall population of polar bears.

Why are polar bears crucial? 

Polar bears are not just majestic creatures, they play an important role in the Arctic ecosystem and have strong cultural significance for Arctic people. As top predators in their food web, they contribute to the balance of their environment. By protecting polar bears, we are not just preserving a species; we are ensuring the health of the entire Arctic food chain, which directly impacts wildlife and millions of people, even those far beyond the Arctic.

What does the future hold for them?

Polar bears, with their relatively high genetic diversity, may have some capacity to adapt to the ongoing changes in the Arctic. Yet, their dependence on sea ice makes them highly vulnerable. While they are strong swimmers, capable of swimming for hours, sea ice remains crucial for their survival. Also, their long generation time and low reproductive rate may limit their ability to adapt to changes in the environment. 

They are now considered "vulnerable" according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Their numbers are going down, and are most likely to lose habitat in the Arctic territories of Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Norway, Russia, and the US (Alaska) if the melting trend continues, putting marine mammals' survival at risk.

The Arctic serves as the sole region where polar creatures can sustain their lives. They have evolved there and spent their lives primarily on sea ice, except during breeding seasons.

As temperatures in the Arctic rise nearly four times as fast as the global average, urgent action is needed. The shrinking sea ice extent since 1979 highlights the urgent need to address climate change. If we fail to make dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the consequences could be severe. The urgency with which we must act has never been more apparent, as there are suggestions that before mid-century, we could have a nearly ice-free Arctic in the summer.

In the face of these challenges, it becomes our collective responsibility to act. It's time for collective efforts to mitigate climate change and safeguard the future of these incredible creatures and the delicate ecosystems they call home.