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With the changes already underway, as a result of global warming, polar bears have experienced many negative consequences. As the earth's temperature increases the climate of our polar regions will change dramatically. Even a very small increase in temperature will have a knock on effect on these polar regions of the world.

The thick ice flows which used to cover vast areas will eventually disappear if the trend of temperatures increasing continues. Some polar bears have already been left stranded a long way from their normal habitat. This can result in wild polar bears living on mainland areas where they would not normally habit, or becoming stranded away from land and food. Although polar bears can swim they are not deisgned to swim great distances as they are basically land creatures.

As the earth's and the ocean's temperatures increase wildlife and vegetation will change. The natural food source for such animals as polar bears will change. If their normal food becomes scarce they will either starve or have to try and move inland in order to seek sustenance. Ultimately these changes to the polar bears environment will lead to a decrease in their population and possibly even extinction.

Animals such as polar bears are designed to withstand harsh long winters and cool summers in their normal habitat. As the earth's temperature increases they will quite literally be like 'a fish out of water'. Their hibernation period, mating season and thick winter coat will all become either unnecessary or out of time. It is a sad fact of global warming that, animals such as polar bears, with no power to change any of the detrimental occurrences of the world, will be the first to suffer and in such a serious way.

Learn more about this author, Ethel Smith.
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