0
The Fourth Report of the IPCC (The United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), Climate Change 2007, reported as follows:
Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus), estimated numbers 20,000 to 25,000 worldwide, live on the annual sea-ice of the Arctic. They may wander thousands of kilometres every year. They live on ice-breeding seals, so the bears need sea-ice for survival.
Female bears need to feed when they emerge with their cub(s) each spring from a nursing den. They have had no food for 5 to 7 months.
If there is continuous sea ice, bears can hunt all through the year, but in areas where the sea ice melts each summer, bears have to spend several months on tundra, living on their stored fat reserves, till the sea freezes again.
Polar bears face great challenges, because projected reductions in sea ice will dramatically shrink their habitat.
The sea ice in Western Hudson Bay, Canada, now melts 3 weeks earlier than in the early 1970s. Bears now come ashore earlier with smaller fat reserves (15%), they fast for longer and they have fewer cubs. This population appears to have declined from 1200 bears in 1987 to fewer than 950 in 2004. It is reasonable to expect that other populations may be similarly impacted.
In 2005, the IUCN Polar Bear Specialist Group recommended that polar bears should be upgraded from Red List Least Concernto Vulnerable, because of the likelihood of an overall decline in the total population of more than 30% in 35 to 50 years' time.
If sea ice declines according to some projections, polar bears face a high risk of extinction with a global warming of 2.8ºC above pre-industrial temperature.
Source: Climate Change 2007: Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability: 4.4.6 Tundra and Arctic/Antarctic ecosystems (see the link below).
Still curious? Ask our experts.
Chat with our AI personalities
Blake
Fran
DevinThe Fourth Report of the IPCC, published in 2007, included findings that polar bears are highly vulnerable to climate change due to their reliance on sea ice for hunting. It highlighted that reductions in sea ice extent directly impact the bears' ability to find food and may ultimately threaten their survival. Additionally, the report addressed the increasing threats that climate change poses to polar bear populations in the Arctic.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What does the Fourth Report of the IPCC say about the Arctic?
The Fourth Report of the IPCC, published in 2007, stated that the Arctic is experiencing rapid and severe climate change, with temperatures rising at twice the global average. The report also highlighted the rapid decline of Arctic sea ice, which has consequences for ecosystems and indigenous communities in the region.
What does the Fourth Report of the IPCC say about the Antarctic?
The Fourth Report of the IPCC, published in 2007, highlighted that the Antarctic ice sheet is losing mass at an accelerated rate, contributing to global sea-level rise. It also emphasized the importance of understanding the complex interactions between the ice sheet, oceans, and atmosphere in order to make more accurate sea-level rise projections.
What does the Fourth Report of the IPCC say about sea levels?
The Fourth Report of the IPCC, published in 2007, stated that sea levels were rising at an increasing rate due to global warming and melting ice caps. It projected sea level rise to continue over the coming centuries, posing significant risks to coastal communities and ecosystems.
What does the Fourth Report of the IPCC say about hurricanes?
The Fourth Report of the IPCC stated that there is no clear evidence that the number of hurricanes is increasing globally. However, it did suggest that future climate change may lead to changes in the intensity and frequency of hurricanes in some regions, which could result in more intense storms in the future.
What does the Fourth Report of the IPCC recommend for Agriculture?
The Fourth Report of the IPCC recommends implementing sustainable agricultural practices, improving soil management, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, promoting agroforestry, and enhancing biodiversity conservation in agriculture to mitigate climate change impacts. It also highlights the importance of adapting agriculture to changing climate conditions and enhancing farmers’ resilience to climate-related risks.
