| As an inconvenient truth, global warming is | | | | Four polar bears were recently discovered off the |
| affecting our world. But who can physically feel | | | | coast of Alaska after they apparently drowned |
| the effects of global warming on a daily basis? | | | | during a violent storm. Scientists are beginning to |
| Sure, this summer may have been a couple | | | | recognize that the melting of the polar ice caps |
| degrees hotter than the last summer, but do the | | | | frequently leaves polar bears stranded on islands |
| majority of humans really notice this difference? | | | | and ice burgs. |
| The human species is undeniably at fault for global | | | | Polar bears can swim up to 100 miles to get back |
| warming but we are not necessarily the ones | | | | to the mainland, but it is becoming increasingly |
| who have to cope with its effects. One of the | | | | difficult for them to do this. They have to swim |
| regions most drastically affected by global | | | | longer distances more often which consequently |
| warming is the Arctic Circle. And who lives there? | | | | causes them to lose valuable body fat. Also, if the |
| Polar bears. | | | | ice caps recede any more than 100 miles from |
| Studies have shown that over the last 20 years, | | | | where the polar bears are stranded, they will not |
| polar bear populations have dropped nearly 25 | | | | be able to eat until the following winter. |
| percent. Not only have they dropped in numbers, | | | | Even if an individual polar bear is not in trouble, the |
| scientists have also noticed that they have | | | | fate of their species is in dire danger. Polar bears |
| dropped significantly in size. Polar bears use their | | | | are simply struggling to survive in the current |
| body fat to stay alive in cold weather and to float | | | | state of our planet, and if nothing changes they |
| longer in stormy seas. Without excessive body | | | | will become extinct. |
| fat, it is much more difficult for them to survive. | | | | Who knows? We could be next. |