The polar bear plight has quietly disappeared from the catastrophic global warming narrative.
According to new research, the body condition of polar bears and ringed seals (their prey) has been stable to improving from 2008-2022 despite Arctic warming and sea ice decline during this period.
This is the opposite of what was predicted to happen, as it has been assumed intact sea ice is essential to polar bear health and survival.
“…polar bear body condition and recruitment during 2018-2022 were largely within or above observed annual means during 2008-2017.”
“A lack of trend in environmental and ecological variables or polar bear body condition…during 2008-2022 is suggestive that the Chukchi Sea polar bear population was likely stable during this time.”
“Studies in both the Chukchi Sea and adjacent southern Beaufort Sea have shown improved ringed seal body condition and pup production following and during years with lower spring or summer sea ice cover, earlier sea ice breakup, or thinner ice.”
“…an increase in the duration of open water during the summer and the associated increase in ocean productivity with warming may benefit polar bear prey species.”
Every disadvantage has its advantage as we say in the Netherlands.
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[…] the original article is still online and hasn’t been corrected.) Meanwhile a new study (h/t NoTricksZone) proposes a statistical model for predicting the populations of polar bears in the many regions […]