Polar bears may go extinct by the next century

 

During the summer solstice of 2020, the hottest winter in Arctic circle was observed when northern Siberia registered a temperature of 38 Celsius, accelerating the melting of Arctic permafrost. 

According to a new study published in Nature Climate Change it is predicted that if the continuous increasing trend in green house gas emission continued, this shrinking of sea ice could wiped out nearly 19 subpopulations of polar bears from Beaufort sea off Alaska to the Siberian Arctic by 2100. 

Ice levels in the Arctic have fallen by 40% ,over the last 25 years. Polar bears may not be able to survive as rely on sea ice to hunt for seals and will be unable to search for food on land. Researchers are observing an increase in polar bears migrations from their common hunting grounds.

Furthermore, increased cases of cannibalism among polar bear are being observed in Arctic, due to melting sea ice and lack of food availability. Large male polar bears have been reported to sometimes attack females with their cubs.

By as early as 2040, it is very likely that many polar bears will begin to experience reproductive failure, leading to local extinctions. Even if the emissons are mitigated most of the polar bears will experience reproductive failures and won't be able survive past 2080.

It is predicted that even if the emissions are mitigated, extinction on smaller scale will still be observed.