What Is Happening To Arctic Polar Bears And What Can Be Done ✓ Solved

What Is Happening To Artic Polar Bears And What Can Be Donetip

Topic: What is happening to Artic Polar Bears and what can be done? Tip: You do not have to have the running head for this assignment. 1. Cover Sheet (Basically name, the title of your essay, and date) 2. The body of the paper in APA format 3 pages of written content in 12 pt. font (Ariel or Times New Roman) double spaced. (About 750 words minimum) 3. Paper (body) must have in-text citations in proper APA format. 4. Reference Page. *Must be a minimum of 5 pages total for this paper! Use these References! Scientism is closely related to the word ‘Science’. So before we begin, like good philosophers, we need to nail down some working definitions of Science vs Scientism. What is science, then? Science has distinctive features. Foremost, any claim about reality that wishes to count as science needs to be observable, measurable, quantifiable, and /or reducible to a formula or number. Scientific claims need to be ‘repeatable’/ reproducible in terms of being verified by experiment. That is science per se. Now, what is scientism? Think of scientism as a philosophy (not as science). Scientism is the belief that science is the only valid method of knowing. Hence philosophy which bases its claims on reason/logic is often problematic for those who adhere to Scientism. Moreover, the claims of religion, which are unverifiable in scientific terms is mostly dismissed in terms of conveying truth. In sum, if any given claim about reality cannot be verified via reproducible experiment then that claim does not make sense, it is literally, non-sense. Scientism, we should understand, is not a finding of science but a philosophical view of reality that claims that if something cannot be detected by our senses or the instruments that extend of our senses then that claim cannot count as science (or truth). Again, Scientism implies that scientific verification is the only valid form of knowledge; everything else is merely superstition, myth or some form of popular misconception. This view, unfortunately, dismisses values that are near and dear to many millions of human beings.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The Arctic polar bears are an iconic species symbolizing the fragile state of our planet’s ecosystem. Over recent decades, rapid environmental changes have threatened their survival, raising concerns about how climate change impacts these majestic creatures. This paper aims to discuss what is happening to Arctic polar bears, explore the causes behind their decline, and propose potential solutions to mitigate these threats.

The Current Status of Arctic Polar Bears

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are classified as marine mammals and are uniquely adapted to cold Arctic environments. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), they are currently listed as vulnerable, with some populations already in decline. The primary driver of this decline is the rapid loss of sea ice—an essential habitat for hunting, breeding, and denning—caused primarily by global climate change. Satellite data reveal that Arctic sea ice extent has diminished significantly over the past 40 years, reaching record lows in recent years (Stroeve et al., 2012).

The shrinking sea ice limits polar bears’ access to their primary prey, seals, which they rely on for sustenance. As ice cover diminishes, polar bears are forced to travel greater distances and spend more time on land, leading to nutritional stress, decreased reproductive success, and increased mortality rates (Johnson et al., 2018). Several subpopulations are now at imminent risk of extirpation, especially those in the southern and western regions of the Arctic.

Causes of Decline

The primary cause of the decline in Arctic polar bear populations is climate change, driven by increased greenhouse gas emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that global temperatures are rising faster in the Arctic than in other parts of the world, resulting in accelerated sea ice melt (IPCC, 2021). This accelerated melting disrupts the habitat and hunting patterns of polar bears, forcing them into maladaptive behaviors, such as fasting for longer periods or scavenging more on land, which isn't their primary diet.

In addition to climate change, other human-related factors exacerbate the threat. Oil and gas exploration, shipping traffic, and pollutants like heavy metals and plastics Pollutants have been detected in polar bears' tissues, leading to health issues such as endocrine disruption and reduced reproductive success (Durner et al., 2013).

What Can Be Done to Help?

Addressing the decline of Arctic polar bears necessitates a comprehensive, multi-level approach. First and foremost, global efforts to combat climate change through reducing greenhouse gases are critical. Supporting international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord is essential in this regard. Policies aimed at transitioning to renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing fossil fuel consumption will help slow down the melting of sea ice (Wang et al., 2017).

Secondly, protecting critical polar bear habitats from industrial activities is vital. Establishing protected areas and regulating shipping and resource exploration in key habitats can minimize human disturbance and habitat degradation. Additionally, fostering international cooperation among Arctic nations (Canada, Russia, Norway, the U.S., and Greenland) is crucial to implement conservation strategies effectively.

Furthermore, research and monitoring programs must be expanded to better understand polar bears’ adaptive capacities and the effectiveness of conservation measures. Innovative solutions like supplemental feeding or creating artificial habitats could be considered temporarily, but these are only stopgap measures and do not address the root causes.

Public education and awareness campaigns play an essential role in garnering support for conservation initiatives. Educating communities about the impacts of climate change and encouraging sustainable practices can drive collective action.

Conclusion

The plight of Arctic polar bears exemplifies the urgent need for global climate action and responsible environmental stewardship. Protecting these iconic creatures requires concerted effort at international, national, and local levels. By reducing greenhouse emissions, conserving habitats, and fostering awareness, we can help ensure the survival of polar bears and maintain the ecological balance of the Arctic region.

References

• Durner, G. M., et al. (2013). Contaminant concentrations and health effects in polar bears. Science of the Total Environment, 503-504, 222-227.
• IPCC. (2021). Sixth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2021. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
• Johnson, A. J., et al. (2018). Effects of sea ice decline on polar bear populations. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 96(6), 617-628.
• Wang, M., et al. (2017). Impact of climate change on Arctic sea ice and polar bears. Nature Climate Change, 7(1), 39-43.
• Stroeve, J., et al. (2012). Tracking the Arctic's shrinking sea ice. Science, 338(6111), 1185-1188.