98% of emperor penguin colonies could be extinct by 2100 - here's how to protect them

Aug 6, 2021

emperor penguin colonies endangered species act protection climate change environment sea land ice global warming extinction government policy trade shipping routes

Penguins are at risk as a warming climate affects sea ice in Antarctica. Image: Unsplash/Ian Parker

Stephanie Jenouvrier

Associate Scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

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When the sea ice gets too thin, it can break out early and penguin chicks may drown. Image: Sylvain Cordier/DigitalVision via Getty Images

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penguin population Pointe Géologie colony decline emperor penguin breeding extinction event endangered specie

The number of breeding pairs of emperor penguins at Pointe Géologie is projected to decline significantly. Image: Jenouvrier et al., 2020

sea ice concentration climate change nature environment global warming emperor penguin colonies

The projected status of emperor penguin colonies by 2100 and annual mean change of sea ice concentrations between the 20th and 21st centuries. Image: Natalie Renier/WHOI, Jenouvrier et al. 2021

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