Rachel Gagnon
04 214 284
Professeur Gabrielle Saint-Yves
Written Communication II
ANG-22369
27 February 2007
Professeur Gabrielle Saint-Yves
Written Communication II
ANG-22369
27 February 2007
Review of the Literature on Arctic Polar Bears, Global Warming and Governments' Implications
Climate change is a fairly recent issue and various studies about the subject were conducted in order to find the major causes. Points of view related to the possible causes are different. Human activities spread a lot of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Global warming, that is argued to be caused by these emissions (U.S. Moves), has a large impact on polar bears’ habitat. Since these emissions continue to be spread, polar bears are in danger and are more vulnerable to become extinct (Carlton). Governments' implications are low and they do not seem to realize the magnitude of this phenomenon. In order to consider all the points of view concerning global warming and the survival of polar bears, assessments, papers, reports and various articles will be summarized, analyzed and compared throughout this review.
Causes and Accelerating Factors
Most of the literature about global warming and polar bears sustain that climate change is due to greenhouse gases. Authors, in general, go directly to the point about the causes and they assert that global warming is linked to an increase in carbon dioxide (one of the greenhouse gases) atmospheric concentrations, which are, released by fossil fuel-burning cars and industries (Weed, 9; Save the Polar Bear; U.S. Moves; Ridder, 1; Hassol, 8; Anisimov, 1; Bearly; Environment Canada; Polar Bears Dreams; Canadian Polar Bears, 1; Polar Bear Politics, A12; Gibson, 28). In some publications causes of climate change are not stated (Russia, U.S. Seek to Save Polar Bears, 10; Stirling). However, Carlton admits that a group of scientists claim that the reducing in size of the ice pack may be due to global warming. On the other hand, they have different opinions concerning gases emissions. They are not sure that greenhouse gases emissions are the main culprit and they are also questioning themselves in order to find if a significant cut in theses emissions could really reduce climate change. Another point is that natural causes also exist (Anisimov; Hassol, 8, 23, 92, 100). The reflectivity (albedo)1 of snow and ice coverage is one of them. However, this natural source of warming has to be viewed more as a factor that accelerates Arctic’s heating than a main cause. Albedo’s vicious circle is not mentioned or detailed in each paper, but it is at least briefly explained in 4 of the 15 publications (Anisimov, 2, 23, 62, 68; Hassol, 10, 30, 44-45, 48, 99, 114; Environment Canada; Gibson, 29; Weed, 8-9; Save the Polar Bear). An additional factor, link with sun radiation, makes the climate change faster. The direct reflection of the sun on lands provokes a defrosting of the permafrost. These frozen areas contain contaminants such as carbon dioxide. The thawing of the permafrost releases carbon dioxide (in the from of methane) and speeds up the concentration of this gas (Gibson, 29, 32; Hassol. 9; Anisimov, 79; Save the Polar Bear).
Repercussions
All these causes have bad impacts. The major repercussion, on animals, is the melting ice. This observable fact (statistics and projections are provided) leads to many other decreases that are well explained in some articles and reports. Bears have less time to hunt and they need ice in order to catch their main prey: the seal. Generally, polar bears do not hunt from the water (Save the Polar Bear; Canadian Polar Bears; Polar Bears Dream; Carlton, B.1; Gibson, 18; Anisimov, 22; Stirling, 261, 267; Hassol; 58, 63; Ridder, 1). Because of this reduction in hunting, polar bears have poorer body conditions and affect their period of fasting. It has been proved that weight affects largely reproduction rate of females and that cubs have less chance to survive (Stirling, 266-267; Hassol, 64; Gibson; Polar Bears Dream; Canadian Polar Bears, 1; Environment Canada; Ridder, 1; Anisimov, 1-2). This reduction in birth rate also has an impact on population rate. However, the decline of polar bear population is an observation or a fact that do not seem to be shared unanimously in every publication. Stirling is debating the fact that the increase noticed by native groups is not really an augmentation. He supposes that the “false” increase is related to the rise of the sightings . Polar bears have to search for food so they come nearer than before. Stirling has supporting data for both claims, but he is not sure about the reliability of the native groups’ observations (271). In the newspaper article Polar Bear Politics, the author has the same opinion has the native groups. On the other hand, the journalist writes about the “projections into the future” and says that it will be taken in consideration (A12) Even if there is a debate on this position, the most relevant hypothesis seems to be that the polar bear is declining according to different authors (Hassol; Anisimov; Save the Polar Bear; Environment Canada; Canadian Polar Bears; U.S. Moves; Gibson; Ridder). Other statistics also tend to prove the consistency of the preceding articles, papers and reports. The number of drownings, due to the melting ice and, the polar bear’s capacity to swim long distances, is an excellent hint to verify the reliability of the information presented previously about a true decline of polar bear population. Polar bears try to adapt to their melting habitat, but they seem to have some difficulties with this and they are now seen as a threat for human because they are searching food on beaches and in villages (Polar Bears Dream; Carlton; Bearly; Stirling; Canadian Polar Bears).
Politics
There is two major points in politics regarding polar bears and, the effects of global warming on their habitat and survival: governmental programs about reduction of gas emissions and the protection of polar bears’ habitat. The governments that are mostly concerned by this issue, in articles and reports, are Canadian, American and Russian. The United States’ government is ironic in its proposition to list polar bears as endangered species. First, Bush administration did not sign the U.N. Kyoto Accords on greenhouse gases. Second, they continue to extract resources in Arctic regions (Ridder; Hassol, 44; Carlton; Save the Polar Bear; U.S. Moves). In spite of these non-reducing and non-protecting actions, the American government has some good intentions. It collaborates with Russia and Canada to “help” polar bears (Polar Bear Politics, A12). United States signed a treaty with Russia to prevent over-hunting and protect polar bears from various threats as habitat loss caused by climate change ($2 million will be invested for polar bear protection through 2010) (Russia, U.S. Seek to Save Polar Bears, 10). Russia prohibited polar bear hunting in 1956, but the United States, at that time, had allowed subsistence hunting. Russian government was, in some ways, more implicated than the American administration (Russia, U.S. Seek to Save Polar Bears, 10; U.S. Moves). However, Bush administration does not talk about a program in order to reduce greenhouse gases emissions and some organizations are urging Bush government to adopt one (Save the Polar Bear; Carlton). Canadian government is also urged to act and adopt a reducing program instead of signing the U.N. Kyoto Accords. Canada also exploits Arctic regions for their resources. Even if this country, up to now, is not reacting promptly regarding climate change problems, its contributions in research are large (Bearly; Environment Canada). Hassol and Anisimov are not precise about their expectations regarding governments. They talk about policies and implementations in general only and without naming specific countries or regions (Hassol, 123; Anisimov; 64, 70).
Some aspects of global warming seem to be debatable according to the publications analyzed in this review. Human activities are mostly viewed as affecting the atmospheric concentrations in greenhouse gases by overheating Arctic regions (for the moment). Natural causes also have impacts, but accelerating factors, such as the albedo and the thawing permafrost, are more alarming. Concerning repercussions, one point is arguable: the decline of polar bear population. Nevertheless, a large majority of articles and reports show evidences of decline in many areas. The remaining impacts listed above (see repercussions) are interdependent and seem to be approved unanimously. Political issues are, in majority, about United States, Canada and Russia. United States’ proposal about listing polar bears as threatened species is paradoxical when one knows that the country does not cut its emissions of noxious gases. A more positive point about American government is that Bush administration signed a treaty with Russia in order to protect polar bear. A large sum of money will be invested in coming years. Canada is considered as similar to United States on the basis of its implications. However, Canada’s contributions in research are notable. Valuable information is found on Greenpeace website even if the organization may have a biased point of view because it defends polar bears in order to collect money. Nevertheless, their statistics are also found in other studies so it makes the website more reliable. Since all these are rich in information, I will use them in order to argue, by establishing relationships between global warming and poor conditions of polar bears’ habitat, that if Canadian, American and Russian’s governments continue to ignore the repercussions of the climate change, especially in Artic regions, the polar bear will definitely be in danger of extinction and endanger lives and lifestyles of native groups living there.
_____________________
1 Because of their high reflectivity, due to their pale color, ice and snow are reflecting solar energy in the atmosphere in order to keep the Arctic cool. Though, since the ice is melting, due to climate warming, reflectivity is diminished because solar energy is radiated on darker surfaces (seas, grounds, forests, etc.) and this phenomenon causes more warming, more melting and it goes on and on.
Work Cited
Anisimov, Oleg, et al. Climate Change and Biodiversity: IPCC Technical Paper V. Ed.
Habiba Gitay et al. Geneva: IPCC, 2002. 1-74. 24 Feb. 2007 <>.
“Bearly Surviving.” News Internationalist 321 Mar. 2000: 4. ProQuest. Laval U Lib., Quebec
City, QC. 12 Feb. 2007
“Canadian Polar Bears in Alarming Decline” Canada NewsWire 15 Dec. 2006: 1. ProQuest.
Laval U Lib., Quebec City, QC. 28 Jan. 2007
Carlton, Jim. “Is Global Warming Killing the Polar Bears?” Wall Street Journal 14 Jan. 2005,
eastern ed.: B.1. ProQuest. Laval U Lib., Quebec City, QC. 28 Jan 2007
Gibson, Margie Ann, and Salli B. Schullinger. Answers from the Ice Edge: The Consequences of
Climate Change on the Life in Bering and Chukchi Seas. Anchorage: Arctic Network and
Greenpeace USA, 1998. 3-29. 25 Feb. 2007
Hassol, Susan Joy. Impacts of a Warming Arctic: Arctic Climate Impact Assessment. New
York: Cambridge UP, 2004. 2-127. 24 Feb. 2007
Warming Arctic: Arctic Climate Impact Assessment; ACIA Overview report (all).
Environment Canada. “Arctic Shows Signs of Serious, Rapid Climate Change.” EnviroZine 48:
15 Nov. 2004. 28 Jan. 2007 <>.
“Polar Bear Politics.” Editorial. Wall Street Journal 3 Jan. 2007, eastern ed.: A12. ProQuest.
Laval U Lib., Quebec City, QC. 28 Jan 2007
“Polar Bears Dream of a White Christmas: If They Go, London Could Be Next.” Greenpeace
International News 28 Nov. 2004. 12 Feb. 2007
Ridder, Knight. “Polar Bear Becomes a Lobbyist in Fight against Global Warming.” Editorial.
Tribune Business News 31 Dec. 2006: 1. ProQuest. Laval U Lib., Quebec City, QC.
28 Jan. 2007
“Russia, U.S. Seek to Save Polar Bears.” Russian Life Sept.-Oct. 2006 49.5: 10. ProQuest.
Laval U Lib., Quebec City, QC. 12 Feb. 2007
Save the Polar Bear: Project Thin Ice 2006. Greenpeace USA. 2006. 12 Feb. 2007
Stirling, Ian, and Claire L. Parkinson. “Possible Effects of Climate Warming on Selected
Populations of Polar Bears (Ursus Maritimus) in the Canadian Arctic.” Arctic 59.3 Sept.
2006: 261-75. ProQuest. Laval U Lib., Quebec City, QC. 12 Feb. 2007
“U.S. Moves to List Polar Bears as Threatened.” MSNBC.com 29 Dec. 2006. HONDA.
24 Feb. 2007
Weed, William Speed. “Bad News Bears.” Current Science 91.9 6 Jan. 2006: 8-9. ProQuest.
Laval U Lib., Quebec City, QC. 12 Feb. 2007
