Polar Bear Facts

Fact: A recent US Geological Survey study predicts that more than half of the world's polar bear population will be extinct in 40 -50 years.

Fact: The effects of global warming are being felt most dramatically in the Arctic where temperatures are rising roughly twice the global pace.

Fact: Spring ice break-up is occurring earlier each year cutting short the polar bear hunting season. As a result bears are experiencing a decline in average body size, fertility and survival among young bears and cubs- a fact that scientists have linked directly to global warming.

Fact: Warming and melting trends have the potential to severely affect the food chain that supports the polar bear. Polar bears are beginning to face starvation.

Fact: If Endangered Species protection is granted to the polar bear it would mark the first time that global warming is cited as a primary threat to a species.

Fact: if oil and gas drilling is allowed to occur in polar bear habitats, it would disturb feeding patterns, cause mothers to abandon their dens leaving the cubs to die of starvation and exposure.

(Earth Justice)