Transcript The Effect of Climate Change on Polar Bear Populations

The Effect of Climate
Change on Polar Bear
Populations
Arthur Burns
Julie Manoharan
Olivier Sherman
Jovan Stojanovich
Introduction
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Some researchers speculate that global
warming is threatening Polar Bear
populations and well-being.

We investigated the effects of climate
change on Polar Bear habitats, feeding
habits, and reproduction.
Sea Ice and Ice Sheet Melt
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There is disagreement about causes of
melting sea ice.
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It is likely due to a combination of natural
variation and human effects on climate.
Melting Sea Ice
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Sea Ice is greatly affected by rising temperatures.
There has been natural variation in temperature
throughout history, largely due to CO2 concentrations.
In recent history we have been adding huge amounts of
CO2 to the atmosphere, which increases temperature
and melts sea ice.
Effect on Feeding Habits
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Polar bear’s overall hunting ability will decline.
Competition with other populations will increase.
Ringed seal population, Polar Bear’s primary prey, will
also go into decline.
There will be an increase in polar bear-human
interaction.
Effects on Reproduction

There is no effect on the act of mating itself.
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Less ice means more energy will be needed
to reach maternity dens.
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This decreases mother-cub survival rates for
those using terrestrial dens.
This also causes an increase in ice-bound dens.
Polar Bear & Human
Interaction
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Polar bear sightings on land have increased,
but populations may be decreasing.
Pollution and hunting are the biggest
anthropogenic threats.
Public Policy

Policy Solutions must address the problem of
rising carbon dioxide emissions.

Polar bears have recently received protection
under the Endangered Species Act.
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Current Protections fail to address root cause
of the problem.
Solutions
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International agreements to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions (Kyoto).
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Cap and trade system.
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Bottom line: We must combat global warming
and melting icecaps that threaten polar bear
habitats.