As the numbers of human beings soar the strains on the ecosystem become immense. The melting ice-caps, warming seas and changing weather patterns create problems for all living creatures. They have to migrate, adapt or die.
The polar bear has nowhere to migrate to. It cannot adapt.
The major threats to polar bears are hunting and starvation.
Incredibly they are still being hunted for food and pelts even as their numbers decline. They are also being shot for daring to go near human habitation. As humans encroach more and more the deaths increase.
The thinning of the ice affects their ability to hunt seals. Their cubs do not survive and they die of starvation.
Add to that the oil spills and pollution and you have a polar bear catastrophe.
The polar bear is a majestic creature. If we do not control our numbers and give it the habitat it requires their days are numbered. As with the elephant, rhino, leopard, tiger and lion it will go into history as a mythical beast. Our grandchildren will be deprived of access to a natural world.
We can address this if there is the will. We can give 50% of the planet to wilderness. We can limit our numbers. We can stop polluting, chopping trees and changing the global temperature.
We need a new positive zeitgeist!