Climate change is starving polar bears into extinction, according to new research that predicts the apex carnivores could all but disappear within the span of a human lifetime.
On current trends, polar bears in 18 of 19 subpopulations will have been overtaken within 80 years by the galloping pace of change in the Arctic, according to new research. that predicts the apex carnivores could all but disappear within the span of a human lifetime.
"The bears face an ever longer fasting period before the ice refreezes and they can head back out to feed," Steven Amstrup, who conceived the study and is chief scientist of Polar Bears International, told AFP. One degree of warming so far has triggered a crescendo of heatwaves, droughts and superstorms made more destructive by rising seas.
"If somehow, by magic, sea ice could be maintained even as temperatures increase, polar bears might be fine," Amstrup said by email.Half of Earth's land-based megafauna are classified as threatened with extinction, but only polar bears are endangered primarily by climate change. A male bear, for example, in the West Hudson Bay population that is 20 per cent below its normal body weight when fasting begins will only have enough stored energy to survive about 125 days rather than 200 days.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canada's Mackenzie Hughes returning to U.S. Open following Memorial showingCanadian Mackenzie Hughes will be returning to the U.S. Open following another strong outing on the PGA Tour.
Read more »
Quebec Police End Manhunt For Dad Of Sisters Found DeadThe mayor of St-Apollinaire, Que. says police are changing tactics.
Read more »
U.S. Supreme Court declines to fast-track Trump finances disputeThe brief order means that the case will not return to lower courts until 25 days after the Supreme Court’s July 9 ruling that said further analysis was required on whether the subpoenas were valid
Read more »
One new case of COVID-19 reported in N.B., four activeNew Brunswick is reporting one new case of COVID-19 Sunday, the first new case in four days.
Read more »
Trump says Confederate flag proud symbol of U.S. South and 'freedom of speech'He drew a parallel to the Black Lives Matter movement that was born out of police brutality targeting Black Americans
Read more »
Olympic figure skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya dies at 20Pairs figure skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya, who was born in Russia but competed for Australia in the 2018 Olympics, has died at 20 in Moscow, the International Skating Union reported Saturday.
Read more »