Future of Polar Bears

The Facts:

Save The Polar Bear Art Piece
http://turtumy.deviantart.com/art/Save-The-Polar-Bear-Poster-312995970

From my research it is easy to understand the reliance polar bears have on sea ice as a platform for their livelihood. Sea ice gives polar bears access to their prey (seals), a mating and breeding ground, and a way of travel. Since sea ice is such a tremendous cornerstone in the lives of polar bears, it is a factor that makes them an extremely vulnerable species. Even though polar bears and other arctic species have adapted to their ever changing environments they have not been successful enough for their populations to remain constant. Polar bear populations are steadily declining with every decade (9). They are a truly remarkable species because of the way they have completely adapted solely to their Arctic environment. Sadly though, because of this adaptation polar bears have a very narrow niche and are specialists as to where they can live. Terrestrial habitats just do not have the necessary resources to sustain polar bear populations (1). There have been multiple survival prediction experiments performed about the future of the polar bear for 1) if the species will be able to thrive with the same amount of greenhouse gases being produced and 2) if greenhouse gases were reduced in their use what would the survival rate potentially be? The outcome for 1) was a vast to almost complete disappearance in sea ice by the end of the 21st century also resulting in a 2/3 population decline in polar bears by the year 2050 (2). For 2) it was deemed that polar bears would have a 68% chance of a longer period of life as a species if human beings were able to cut back their use of greenhouse gases within a maximum of the next twenty or so years (2) .

The Future:

A Polar Bear Looking Off Into The Ocean
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/04/18/bullseye-over-boulder-another-weather-is-not-climate-story/

For now, the future of polar bears is uncertain. There is a lot of research available about the effects of global warming on polar bear populations. However there is not a lot of data or research concerning solutions for slowing down or reversing the population decline.  Nor does the research address the success rates for the polar bears if greenhouse gases could be reduced."The authors warn that a lack of data across the full polar bear range makes predictions of future abundance tenuous. Further, they stress that the relationships between demographics and sea ice are only partly understood" (1). But there are a lot of predictions and potential possibilities for what will contribute to the future success of polar bear populations. First, there needs to be tighter controls on the hunting of polar bears by the Arctic's aboriginal people (9). Hunting is another factor, besides the environmental changes, causing their decline. Second, humans need to realize the impact they are having on the Arctic environment due to the amount of carbon emissions they produce daily. There needs to be an increased awareness for the conservation of energy and alternative clean energy practices (9). Sequestering carbon and reducing our emissions will help conserve the Arctic species. "Technologies exist today to make cars that run cleaner and burn less gas, generate electricity from wind and sun, modernize power plants, and build refrigerators, air conditioners and whole buildings that use less power. As individuals, each of us can take steps to save energy and fight global warming" (9). Arctic sea ice has become the focal point of the Arctic marine ecosystem. Lose the ice and you lose the species. Finally, the polar bear's future is unfortunately uncertain. It will be left in the hands of the policy makers to change the outcome (2). There is reason for optimism. Humans have the ability to change their ways of living in order to positively benefit the world around them.  

Girl Scouts Badge For Promoting Global Warming reduction
http://papundits.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/climate-change-polar-opposite/