Global warming is responsible for numerous changes all over the planet. The melting of ice caps caused by global warming is causing the Arctic animals to change their habits and behaviors. They are changing to adjust to the climate changes they are experiencing.
Global Warming
Global warming greatly affects the ice caps because this region of the world is extremely sensitive to any temperature changes. Recent studies show the temperatures in the Arctic regions of the world are rising twice as fast as other areas on the planet. As the temperatures rise, the ice caps become thinner and melt more rapidly. Melting ice caps caused by global warming can have severe consequences on the water levels all over the world and the animals that inhabit the Arctic regions. The polar bears are especially threatened. NASA satellites show the ice caps are shrinking at an average rate of 9% every ten years.
Polar Bears
Global Warming Affects on Polar Bears
The melting ice caps caused by global warming have significantly altered the polar bears life habits. In 2002, the Ward Hunt Ice Shelf, that had been in the Arctic for 3,000 years, split in half. The shelf continues to break into smaller pieces. This shelf is also home to the polar bears of the Arctic. Because the shelf has split into multi sections, the polar bears now have a smaller area to survive. This includes a limited food supply. Polar bears are being forced to eat food they do not normally eat because of the diminished food supply.
Because the polar bears food supply is becoming limited, they now have to travel greater distances to find food. This is not normal behavior for polar bears to exhibit. They are traveling to areas of the planet that do not commonly see polar bears. The journey to the areas to find food is a long and difficult one. Many of the polar bears are not surviving the journey, especially young polar bears. There are numerous threats in the sea waters that are killing the polar bears. A few of these threats include sharks and killer whales.
As the polar bears make their great journey, they have a limited amount of time to find an adequate food supply and then return to Arctic region to hibernate. If the polar bears do not make it back to the Arctic region in time, they will often not survive the frozen sea waters.
Affects of Global Warming on Other Arctic Animals
Global warming is not only affecting the polar bears in the Arctic regions, but the natives, other animals, and plant life as well. Polar bears are not the only animals to change their migratory patterns. Walrus, whales, and seals are changing their migrating habits as well. This is making it increasing difficult to the natives of the land to hunt them and find suitable food.
The melting of the ice caps is harming the natives’ villages. As the ice melts, many villages have to be uprooted because the ice is becoming too thin or they are at risk of being swamped. This is greatly affecting their survival.
The melting ice caps have other global consequences such as rising sea level. If the sea levels continue to rise, no area of the planet will be safe from the water. Every aspect of life will be affected by the rising waters.
References:
“Global Warming Puts the Artic on Thin Ice” November 22, 2005 Natural Resources
“A Forced Diet” June 3, 2002 A World on Thin Ice
Photo: “Polar Bears” By Rico Jensen October 14, 2005 stock.xchng