Wildlife Conservation

Polar Bears and Sea Ice Loss: A Climate Welfare Emergency

Polar bears depend on sea ice to access seals — their primary prey. Arctic warming is eliminating the ice platform they need, causing starvation, longer fasting periods, and population decline.

Key Facts

Arctic sea ice extent has declined by approximately 13% per decade since 1979
Polar bears can fast for up to 4-5 months but extended ice-free periods push beyond this limit
Pregnant females fast the longest — losing up to 43% of their body weight during denning
Some populations already show declining body condition, reduced cub survival, and increased starvation
IUCN lists polar bears as Vulnerable; some populations are Critically Endangered

Welfare Considerations

Extended fasting causes muscular atrophy, immune suppression, and weakening that precedes death. Cubs unable to acquire sufficient fat reserves before their first winter die of exposure and starvation. Swimming long distances in open water to reach ice causes exhaustion and drowning. Climate-driven welfare impacts on polar bears are not future projections — they are occurring now.

What You Can Do

Support strong climate policy as the primary polar bear welfare intervention
Donate to Polar Bears International science and advocacy programs
Reduce your carbon footprint — every fraction of a degree matters for Arctic sea ice
Advocate for Arctic refuge protections and Indigenous-led conservation programs