So if we are to believe the latest fear mongering, Polar Bears will be extinct in 50 years do to global warming.
So are we to believe that Polar bears as a species only came into existence since the last ice age?
If they evolved into "Polar" bears, won't they evolve back into regular bears that can withstand the temperature increase?
Or does "evolution" only work once for a species?
2007-09-13 09:21:36 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Environment ➔ Global Warming
If Polar bears live in zoos all over the world and even in hot climates, and they live on seals and fish, wouldn't more open water give them better fishing grounds?
It's not the heat that will do them in and it's not the lack of food, so what is the supposed cause of their future extinction? Isn't nature known for adaptability? Won't they adapt to the new hunting/fishing grounds?
2007-09-13 10:37:23 · update #1
The more realistic outcome will probably be that the earth will be in the grips of a new little iceage by the middle of this century, and the humans will be the ones threatened. I would not plan yours or your decendants future around the predictions of junkscience if I were you.
2007-09-13 10:06:13 · answer #1 · answered by Tomcat 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The latest research shows that the Arctic ice is melting considerably faster than previously thought. It had been believed that it would remain for another 100 years, it's now expected to melt completely each summer in 40 years time.
The Arctic Ice Cap has been there for a little over 50 million years, plenty of time for a species to evolve. In evolutionary terms 40 years (even 100 years) is a blink of an eye and only the simplest of species can evolve in such a short space of time.
With the Artic ice gone they'll be forced to migrate south to new habitats in Canada, Siberia, Greenland, Norway and Alaska. It's unlikely they'll become extinct but their numbers will probably be decimated. There's only about 25,000 polar bears at present, any reduction in numbers is going to severely impact on their survivability.
2007-09-13 13:54:19 · answer #2 · answered by Trevor 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Polar bears did not evolve from another species of bear. The white color they enjoy is a product of natural selection. Only white bears could successfully adapt to an arctic environment, and the advantage white bears have meant only those bears that produced bears with more white colorization could successfully breed. There is no evidence that evolution is true, unless the organism in question is a virus, and then they only evolve into another virus. The number of polar bears in Canada is now 5times what is was in the 1960's extinction is not likely
2007-09-13 10:48:05 · answer #3 · answered by espreses@sbcglobal.net 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Polar bear populations are up compared to 10 years ago. Bears that live in the zoo, as well as other polar animals, are in climate controlled areas. Polar bears are no different than Black Bears, with the only difference being the color of their fur. It's reverse discrimination.
2007-09-13 12:36:00 · answer #4 · answered by crknapp79 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
evolution works only at a slow pace.
so far I know, the Tchernobyl locals have not had the time to evolve and be radiation resistant.
North pole polar cap has been around for a long time and its melting could be something new within tens of thousands of years. The last ice age provided them with a larger living space which decreased again. If it totally disappears, they might not be able to adapt.
The "fear monging source" you probably mean is the US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ????
The polar bear might be emblematic only, but it is easier than making people realize the salinity increase in already threatened river deltas.
2007-09-13 09:33:02 · answer #5 · answered by NLBNLB 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes that is correct. They are believed to have evolved around the end of the last ice age. They'd have to do some awful fast evolving to change significantly in the 40-50 years they have left. For the species, the time from birth to reproductive age may not permit much adaptation in that time frame.
They live and hunt on the ice cap, now disappearing. They are often seen now, miles out to sea and starving on ice floes that have broken off and floated away.
2007-09-13 09:37:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I don't get why there's so much worry over just the polar bears when there are many other endangered species and many other species that have gone extinct for more preventable reasons than global warming - like deforestation and out-right hunting them out of existence.
2007-09-13 09:28:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
They will follow the food just like they did during the Medieval Warming Period. I don't believe the Ice caps will melt in the next 500 years.
2007-09-13 12:19:23 · answer #8 · answered by Larry 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Polar Bears will become extinct maybe 50years maybe 100years, not just through global warming but also due to hunting and lack of fish. sad but true
2007-09-13 09:35:48 · answer #9 · answered by middleagedhippy 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
evolution takes a heck of a lot longer than 50 years. If this was natural (not man made issue) maybe they would.
But this is something we are doing and we are doing it fast.
2007-09-13 10:44:34 · answer #10 · answered by english_sweetie2001 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋