Effect of Global Warming on the Polar Bear - Research Paper Example

A study on the effect of Climate Change/ Global Warming on the Polar Bear and its surroundings and what the future holds Introduction to Climate Change and Global Warming Scientific Expeditions reveal that the Planet Earth is now experiencing a warming rate faster than seen before in the past thousand years. Increased industrial activity and larger consumption of resources has led to a massive increase in gases like carbon dioxide which when released into the atmosphere results in Global Warming. One of the major effects of such is that the planet is going through an intense climatic change. There are reports from the Inter Governmental Panel to indicate a 0.6C rise in temperatures across the globe and 20cm rise in sea levels during the twentieth century. There has also been a reduction of 40% in the thickness of sea ice across the Arctic Ocean creating potential threat to the survival of marine species of that region. (Maslin, 7) Scientists and Climatologists predict that if current trends of Global Warming were to continue, the atmosphere of the earth would increase by at least one more degree in the 50 years. That could result in changes of pattern of rainfall, storms and even sunshine. Climatic changes would result in changing the way plants and crops grow, thereby affecting our food supplies. There is also a growing concern of the rise of level of seas endangering the low lying areas to wide spread flood. (Oxlade, 4).This paper is thus aimed at understanding the severity of the impact of Climatic change/Global Warming, specifically on the Polar Bears, one of the inhabitant species of the Arctic Circle and the potential danger it faces in its survival through such tough and changing times. Understanding the Polar Bear: Their habitat, Adaptations and Lifestyle One of the eight species of bears across the planet is the Polar Bear or as scientists calls it, Ursus Maritimus. With a physical structure of stocky bodies, short tails and legs, the average female polar bear grows to weigh up to 300-600 pounds while the males with similar body structure can weigh up to twice as much as that of the females. (Patent, 9-15) The Polar Bears are known to have lived farthest north, in the Arctic region around the North Pole. In spite of the bitter cold of the Arctic Region, Polar Bears survive due to the thick fur on their bodies and substantial layer of fat under their fur which helps them to keep warm. The fur is known to be so thick that it hardly allows any body heat to be lost. Such protection allows them to easily spend most of their time in the open on the ice sheets floating on the ocean (Johnson, p.7). Annie Hemstock, discusses in her book that a polar bear’s diet is majorly comprised of seals which they hunt. When they cannot find seals, polar bears often consume dead walruses, seals and whales that get washed up on the shore. Besides they are also known to eat reindeer, fish and sea birds when available. The polar bears are known to be living across the circumpolar Arctic region comprising of the five polar bear countries, Canada, Greenland, Norway, Alaska (US) and Russia. Conservation of polar bears has been an important discussion due to growing activities of humans across the Arctic and polar bear hunting. Polar bears form an important part of the marine eco system which resulted in US protecting polar bears under its Marine Mammal protection Act. The impact of Global Warming and Climate change also possesses a substantial threat to the environment and survival of polar bears that are accustomed to living in colder temperatures and on ice. The World Conservation Union has also categorized the polar bear as ‘Vulnerable’ which can be endangered if present negative factors to their survival were to continue. (Polar Bears) The effect of Climate Change and Global Warming on Polar Bears In 1993, Ian Stirling & Andrew Derocher published an article on Arctic, talking about the possible effects of climatic change on polar bears. The first impacts of climatic change resulting in less ice would be that polar bears would undergo increased nutritional stress due to lack of food. Concerns are high that more increase in global temperatures would result in lesser ice in the arctic waters. The presence of this ice on the waters is however crucial to the survival and growth of polar bears as it gives them a ground on which to hunt, live and reproduce. Their research showed significant effects of presence of ice on reproduction and survival of polar bears. The research also showed a significant decrease in the average weight of the female polar bear in the late 80s as compared to early 80s. There were also significantly lower reproductive rates and lesser cub survival. A similar thought is also endorsed by Yael Calhoun who says that biologists have observed that polar bears have been losing weight over the past 20 years and that a co relation exists between the weight loss and the time at which ice melts. Lack of ice and preferred living conditions mean lesser hunting and lesser food that eventually results in young cubs being weakened. The lack of food also results in death of a large number of young cubs. (Calhoun, 95-98) Scientists have also realized that lesser ice due to global warming would cut down on the polar bear’s access to hunting seals. The bears engage in different techniques of hunting but mostly they do it from above the water. There has been hardly any instance of polar bears hunting seals in the open water as chances are very low. Besides, climatic changes could also bear a significant effect on the survival of seals which in turn would provide the bears with lesser abundance to hunt. (Stirling & Derocher, 240-245).Also to be noted is that the breaking of ice around polar bear inhabited areas now takes place almost 3 weeks early that in the 1970s.This results in the polar bears having to come ashore earlier with lesser fat reserves and having to survive on that for a prolonged period of fasting. (Parry, 231) There have been recent observations of polar bears drowning which can be attributed to changing sea patters. Lesser ice results in larger water areas with polar bears unable to maintain contact with ice. Additionally, there have also been reported observations of cannibalism amongst polar bears. There was a report of four female adult polar bears being killed and consumed by other bears. The reason for such could be high levels of food stress among adult male polar bears. An increase in such occurrence thus poses a grave concern for the species. There has also been documented evidence of changes within polar bears in respect to home range size and movement rates. These can also be attributed to the growing concern over melting of ice and providing lesser areas for the habitation of the polar bears. (MacCracken, 196-199) Another major concern with the lifestyle and habitat of the polar bears is the persistent increase in organic pollutants that reach the arctic region via air and water. The use of natural and manmade resources is increasing manifold and industrial waste is being dumped without thinking of consequences. Such pollutants affect various marine lifestyle and eco-system as seen through a research on polar bear tissues. The effect of such pollutants can be on hormone regulation, immunity system functions and reproduction. Besides, since the reach of human expanded to the areas inhabited by polar bears, hunting of polar bears had also increased, bringing down the population to between 6000 and 10000. Following such grave threats to the polar bears, an agreement was made in 1965 at Alaska, between the five polar bear nations on the following points: To conserve the polar bear Protection of cubs and females Exchanging information with help of IUCN Conduct research programs on polar bears To have international meetings when urgent problems arise (Aars, Lun and Derocher) Irrespective of such measures, the polar bear still faces a threat from the increasing levels of global warming and the climatic shift currently taking place across the planet. A potential threat that hangs is over the increase in human-bear interactions due to climatic warming. A rise in temperatures would trigger off a chain reaction that would lead to quicker melting of ice, leading to lesser habitation area and food options. Inadvertently, the polar bears would move inwards from the shore scavenging for human dump and garbage that could result in conflict between humans and bears. On the other hand, open water and lighter ice resulting from warmer climate could potentially attract more activities like shipping and development in an otherwise inaccessible area which would also affect the life and habitat of the polar bears. (Stirling & Derocher, 5) Scientists therefore could be right in predicting that by the end of the century, the polar bear could be the first mammal to be threatened by extinction due to the climatic change, environmental pollution and global warming (Kazlowski, 63). The future is worrisome for the arctic polar bears as they get threatened by increasing reasons by the day. What the future holds no one can say but if protective steps are not taken, it is for sure that the polar bear is not the only species to be threatened. Understanding the Future: The options and the consequences Many wild life officials, reporters and climatologists feel that despite knowing that the polar bears are an endangered species, countries are not doing enough to protect them from extinction. Scientists have possibly found out large reserves of oil that are untapped under the arctic bed and countries are strategically taking up positions to have control of such reserves. However it is critically endangering the polar bears and at this rate they would eventually get wiped out within the next 100years. It becomes even more concerning when one learns that in a recent report , the summer sea levels of the Arctic were down by 40% of the average which was the lowest since satellite monitoring was implemented. (Joling) It is also believed that almost 30% of the current population of polar bears will be gone within the next 45 years. Moreover, there is a high mortality rate of 40% amongst cubs and that coupled with the fact that polar bears give birth once every three to four years, the future seems very disconcerting, unless appropriate steps and methods are put into place to keep the species alive from becoming extinct (Polar bear world). Another thought put forward by biologists regarding the future of polar bears is that once they lose habitat due to global warming, these polar bears will be forced to start moving southwards from their current position in search of alternative source of food. That puts them in a risk of clashing with grizzly bears- a species of brown bears and causing damage to their lives. (Wolpert) The future also looks good for development of tourism as it has grown in several areas through the use of all terrain vehicles and aircraft for aerial tours. Such increases the scope of human and bear interaction and there can be killing on either side. The polar bears may also be forced to abandoning their habitat to avoid harassment and find peace (Bear (Polar)). Current trends also indicate that there may be a considerable increase in the number of polar bears kept in captivity inside zoos in order to protect them. However many experts on polar bear are very skeptical to the success and adaptation of polar bears in such captive conditions. Their main concern is the amount of space allocated to the bears as polar bears are accustomed to inhabiting enormous territories in the wild. Most captive conditions for polar bears are concrete floored enclosures surrounded by wall for safety, which is not the exact replica of the natural surrounding they are accustomed to. The polar bears are also great swimmers amongst the bear species however their desire and will to swim is often deterred by the fact that zoos provide them with small pools to swim in which is unlike the oceanic waters of the Arctic where polar bears enjoy swimming. The polar bears are adjusted to living in extreme cold conditions of the Arctic wild and nothing physically or behaviorally prepares them for a captive life in warmer environments. Although zoos are implementing ways to provide appropriate conditions for the bears to live in by creating air-conditioned dens, refrigerated pools, ice machines, cooling fans and specially designed shades, which may be successful in offering relief in the short term, it still doesn’t qualify as a long term solution. The animals are still exposed to temperatures and humidity which they never face in the vast wild circles of the Arctic (Laidlaw, 11) Concluding remarks Most people tend to think that since Polar Bears are located northern most and are on top of the food chain, and have no real predators to worry other than man, their existence would continue for long into the future. However this is not true as shown in the earlier parts of this paper and that their existence is in jeopardy has been corroborated by many scientists, biologists and climatologists. It is not only about the protection of a species that should worry mankind but the rate at which the environment and natural resources are being exhausted which is eventually leading the path to extinction of a species should be the larger concern. Natural Resources of the world are not left in vast reserves and the ones that are is being subjected to a rat race which is coming at the cost of depleting the biological life. It is necessary to understand that damage being caused to the environment will eventually come and harm the ones who are living in the environment. Increasingly there is more awareness amongst organizations and individuals regarding the devastating effects that can take place by polluting the environment and thus most have taken steps to control global warming and protect the climate from undergoing radical changes. However this is not enough as it is necessary to protect the aqua and marine life as well to maintain an ecological balance that is necessary for maintain environmental stability. There is a need to protect the wild as well as the wild life. Human interactions with the wild are increasing which if not controlled will be a huge factor in destroying the wild life. Both organizations and individuals need to have a greater sense of accountability in terms of use of natural and man-made resources and must work towards controlling Global Warming and Environmental Pollution. Rapid Climatic changes are not suitable for any living species on the planet and hence making sure of a stable climatic environment is also in good interest for humans. After all the most developed and dominant species of life on this earth are humans and it should be a major concern for human beings to protect all life on this earth and its environment. References 1. Aars, Jon, Nicholas J Lun and Andrew E Derocher. Polar bears:Proceedings of 14th Working Meeting of IUCN. Occasional Paper of IUCN. UK: IUCN & Cambridge,UK, 2005. 2. Bear (Polar). YPTE, 2010, Accessed on 06 April 2011 . 3. Calhoun, Yael. Environmental Issues Climate Change. USA: Chelsea House Publishers, 2005. 4. Hemstock, Annie. Wild Life of North America:The Polar Bear. Minnesota, USA: Capstone Press, 1999. 5. Johnson, Jinny. Zoo Animal in The Wild: Polar Bear. Thailand: Smart Apple Media, 2007. 6. Joling, Dan. "Anchorage Daily News." 27 June 2010. Accessed on 06 April 2011 . 7. Kazlowski, Steven. The Last polar bear. USA: The Mountaineers Books, 2008. 8. Laidlaw, Rob. "A Case against Polar Bears in Captivity." (2005): 1-15. 9. Maslin, Mark. Global Warming:Causes, Effects and the Future. USA: MBI Publishing Company, 2007. 10. Oxlade, Chris. Global Warming. USA: Capstone Press, 2003. 11. Parry, Martin. Climate Change. London: Cambridge University Press, 2007. 12. Patent, Dorothy Hinshaw and William Munoz. Polar Bears. Minneapolis, USA: Carolrhoda Books Inc., 2000. 13. Polar Bear World. 2009, Accessed on 06 April 2011 . 14. Polar Bears. Sea World, 2002. Accessed on 06 Aprl 2011 . 15. Stirling, Ian and Andrew E. Derocher. "Possible Impacts of Climatic Warming on Polar Bears." Arctic (1993) vol.46: 240-245. 16. Wolpert, Stuart. Physorg.com. 2010, Accessed on 06 Aprli 2011 . Read More