Polar Bears Struggle as Sea Ice Declines

A new study shows that polar bears are spending less time on sea ice, leading them to fast longer, become thinner and have fewer cubs.

NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens, using data courtesy of Kristin Laidre and Harry Stern at the University of Washington, and sea ice data from the National Snow & Ice Data Center (NSIDC). Story by Kasha Patel.

Published February 4, 2020
Data acquired July 15, 1993 - July 15, 2013

Sources:

DMSP > SSM/I

DMSP > SSMIS

In situ Measurement

Nimbus 7 > SMMR

Collection:

Applied Sciences