High Arctic no refuge for polar bears if climate change continues, study finds
The study says bears face starvation and reproductive failure throughout Canada's Arctic islands by the end of the century.
University of Alberta researcher says he is no longer as optimistic about bears' fate
A new study suggests that even the High Arctic won't remain a sanctuary for polar bears if climate change continues at
its current pace.
The study, published in an online science journal, says business-as-usual climate projections mean the bears face starvation and reproductive failure throughout Canada's Arctic islands by the end of the century.
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It's the first time the latest data on sea-ice decline has been related to information on what the bears require for food and to raise healthy cubs.
Study co-author Andy Derocher at the University of Alberta says he was surprised at the results.
He says he's no longer as optimistic about the future of polar bears as he used to be.