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Global Warming Threatens Polar Bears

By grrlscientist on February 3, 2007.

Polar bears, Ursus maritimus, stranded on melting iceberg.

Scientists are finding bodies of dead polar bears in the sea near Alaska and in the Arctic. Apparently, the bears are being overcome with exhaustion and starvation as they are forced to swim hundreds of miles in search of food.

"As the ice gets farther out from the shore because of warming, it's a longer swim that costs [the bears] more energy and makes them more vulnerable," said Dr Ian Stirling of the Canadian Wildlife Service.

A comprehensive report published today by a United Nations panel says there is a 90 per cent probability that mankind is to blame for climate change.

The study also projects a 'best estimate' that temperatures will rise by 3°C (5.4°F) above pre-industrial levels by 2100 - the biggest change in one century for thousands of years.

Cited story and image source.

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Tags
global warming

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