Polar bears and climate change: What does the science say?

Dec 15, 2022

Climate change makes it harder for polar bears to hunt, mate and breed. Image: Unsplash/noaa

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Polar bears depend on sea ice for most important aspects of their lives – including hunting, mating and resting. Image: NSIDC

All 19 subpopulations of polar bears have experienced some degree of ice loss. Image: IUCN

A review published in 2016 finds that “loss of Arctic sea ice owing to climate change is the primary threat to polar bears throughout their range”. Image: Regehr et al 2016

Polar bear diets includes bearded seals, harp seals and walruses. Image: Unsplash/jeremypstewardson

Chart showing expected survival rate for polar bears

Polar bears living on seasonal ice will see the greatest threat from warming in the coming decades. Image: Carbon Brief

Polar bears have shown some ability to adapt to changes in their surroundings. Image: Unsplash/hansjurgen007

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