Polar Bears And Climate Change Essay

The global average temperature has increased and is continuing to increase rapidly, which is affecting wildlife. Even though species have adapted to climate change in the past, a big concern now is the rapid rate at which the climate is getting warmer. The changing climate has affected wildlife, their populations, and their habitats. Many species are moving closer to the north in response to climate change. Migratory birds are arriving at their nesting grounds earlier and there is a decline in the availability of food they need for reproducing. Many populations are decreasing rapidly because they are not able to adapt to the changing climate. Many species have become endangered because of climate change and are at high risk of extinction, …show more content…
Polar bears rely on sea ice to survive, which is why climate change is a big impact on them. Due to climate change sea ice is rapidly decreasing and sea ice platforms are moving farther apart and swimming conditions for the polar bears are more dangerous. The ice, that is still there, is farther away from shore than it used to be, which is makes it less accessible. Since there is a larger gap between the ice and land there will be harsher waves conditions, which will make it harder and dangerous for the polar bears to swim to. Their population size is decreasing quickly due to shorter hunting seasons. Since there are fewer hunting opportunities there is an increased scarcity of food, which will cause polar bears to go hungry longer. Climate change has resulted in warmer water temperatures which negatively affects coldwater fish. When streams get too warm, the fish can experience growth rates to become slower, water with lower oxygen levels, and are more vulnerable to poisons, parasites and disease. Early or rapid snow melt, will lead to earlier peak river flows in the spring and lower flows in the summer, this will lead to a change in time for fish returning from the ocean to navigate upstream to spawn. The water will no longer be a suitable place for the fish if the water continues to get