The Impact of Climate Change on Polar Bears

How is climate change affecting polar bears?

Choose the most logical sentence:

a. The polar bear population is increasing due to climate change.

b. The ice caps are melting, reducing the polar bears' habitat.

c. Polar bears are thriving in warmer temperatures.

Answer:

The correct answer is: b. The ice caps are melting, reducing the polar bears' habitat.

Polar bears are highly affected by climate change as their primary habitat, the Arctic sea ice, is melting at an alarming rate. The decreasing ice caps make it harder for polar bears to hunt for seals, which are a crucial part of their diet. With less sea ice, polar bears are forced to swim longer distances, leading to exhaustion and a higher mortality rate.

In addition, the loss of sea ice means less time for polar bears to hunt and build up their fat reserves, which are essential for surviving the long periods of fasting during the summer months. As a result, many polar bears are becoming undernourished and struggling to reproduce, leading to a decline in their population.

Climate change is a significant threat to the survival of polar bears, and urgent action is needed to combat the effects of global warming on their fragile ecosystem.