Humans and Polar Bears
Human's Effects
Humans have greatly affected polar bears. The biggest effect was the greenhouse gases and pollution released into the atmosphere by driving cars and creating factories that release carbon and methane. This caused the earth to warm (global warming) and thus melt the polar bear's natural habitat, the ice. Luckly there is still ice in the arctic (although little compared to the past,) however, that could also melt in the near future. They have also left garbage in towns in easily reachable places which causes the bears to eat them if desperate and hungry enough. Lastly, humans have dumped garbage into the ocean and have spilled much oil, causing seals to die, which yet again harms the polar bears.
Arctic Ice 1979 Compared to 2012
Polar Bears and Their Environment
The Polar Bear's Effect
- The polar bears effect the environment simply by being in it. They eat seals which eat fish, shrimp, arctic cod and many more things. In turn, those things eat algae and plankton. This keeps the food chain and the ecosystem running.
- The polar bears also help over population, because without polar bears there would be too many seals.
The Environment's Effect
- The environment greatly affects the polar bears because that's where they live. Polar bears live, hunt and mate in the arctic, and it provides the polar bears with seals.
- Sadly however, as the arctic ice caps keep melting, the polar bears have to swim longer and longer distances, and spend less time on ice. This gives them less hunting time which causes them to be malnourished.
How Can YOU Help?
You Can Help Save Polar Bears Today!
Who?
Luckly it's not all bad news! There are many organizations around the world that help the polar bears like Polarbearsinternational.org, WWF and www.sierraclub.org.
Adopt a Polar Bear
Even though polar bears are vicious animals, you gotta admit, they are pretty cute. And you can adopt a polar bear today at the World Wildlife Fund.
Other Interesting Websites
Polar Bear Tracker Map
Ever wanted to watch polar bears as they travel across the sea ice and hunt seals? Well now you can with this polar bear tracker map.
Polar Bear Cam
With the polar bear cam, you can enjoy last fall favourites from the polar bear cam. Don't forget to tune in late October for live footage of polar bear migration.
