Polar bear population decline is driven entirely by climate change. Climate policy is therefore the most direct welfare policy available for this iconic Arctic species.
Polar bears are listed as Vulnerable globally; some populations are already showing demographic decline. Without significant emissions reductions, climate models project catastrophic sea ice loss incompatible with polar bear survival across most of their range. Polar bear management interventions like supplemental feeding and translocation cannot compensate for widespread habitat loss. Arctic communities that co-exist with polar bears are themselves affected by climate impacts, creating shared human and wildlife welfare concerns. Climate science communication using polar bears as a vivid example has been partially effective in building public support for emissions reductions.