Polar bears threatened with extinction
Q. How many regions in Arctic comprise polar bears?- Published on 17 Sep 16a. 18
b. 19
c. 20
d. 21
ANSWER: 19
Polar bears are losing life sustaining sea ice critical for hunting, resting and breeding in 19 regions of the Arctic they inhabit, according to a study on 14th Sept
- As climate change pushed up Arctic temperatures, ice started melting earlier in spring and refreezing in autumn, according to researchers
- Satellite data showed that number of ice covered days across the 19 regions declined at the rate of 7-19 days per decade from 1979 to 2014.
- Dependence on sea ice means climate warming is the single most important threat to polar bears.
- Global population of polar bears is currently 25,000.
- Their scientific name is Ursus maritimus.
- Bears have been emblematic of ravages of global warming.
- When the ice melts, the animals come ashore and survive on stored fat until it refreezes -- a period that for some has become longer and longer.
- Scientists are saying Arctic is warming at double the global rate as a result of climate change fuelled by mankind’s use of fossil fuels that emit heat trapping GH gases.
- Longer iceless periods mean polar bears have to swim further to find solid ground.
- IUCN also said the creatures could see numbers dwindle by third by mid century; Polar bears on IUCN Red List are listed as vulnerable.
- Bears need sea ice for hunting as they cannot out swim their prey- the self.
- "Changes in sea ice have been shown to impact polar bear abundance, productivity, body condition, and distribution," said the study.
- WWF also said that the retreating ice will increase confrontations with humans who live on land.
- Arctic shipping industry has further fuelled global warming.
