A changing Arctic, a changing future
Sea ice is their lifeline. Polar bears depend on sea ice the way forests depend on soil. It’s where they hunt, travel, and raise their young. As the climate warms, that ice is disappearing, and with it, the foundation of their survival.
Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas releases excess carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, creating a heat-trapping blanket around the earth. The ocean absorbs most of this extra heat, warming the water and accelerating sea ice loss. In the Arctic, that means shorter winters on the ice and longer periods without it.
Sea ice supports the entire Arctic food web and is essential for polar bears to hunt seals, their primary food source. As ice disappears, bears are forced to fast longer on land, triggering a chain reaction: less sea ice leads to less food, lower body condition, fewer and smaller cubs, and declining populations. In some regions, the ice-free season is now three to four weeks longer than it was in the 1980s, and bears can lose about two pounds per day while fasting.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium partners with Polar Bears International to support research, conservation, and solutions that help protect polar bears and their habitat. From innovative tools like early detection radar to ongoing studies of polar bear health, this work helps inform conservation efforts across all polar bear populations.
The most important step we can take to protect polar bears is supporting a shift away from fossil fuels. When communities, businesses, and leaders invest in cleaner energy, it helps reduce the carbon emissions driving climate change and sea ice loss. Staying informed and supporting climate-conscious solutions can help protect polar bears and the ecosystems we all share.
CLIMATE SOURCES We Trust
The information overload is real. Confusing and misleading headlines and unreliable sources can make the situation seem overwhelming. Here are trusted sources we recommend for climate news and information.
Polar Bears International – Climate actions to save polar bears
CLEAN network – Excellent climate resources for educators
National Geographic – Compelling climate videos, ideal for classrooms
Dept. of Ecology – Washington State’s response to climate change
NASA – Take a deep data dive
State of the Sound, Washington – Vital signs of Puget Sound