There is an assumption among climate change activists and the general public that reduced sea ice harms polar bears. This is not true. Although some sea ice is necessary for polar bears to hunt seals, when sea ice very thick or widespread, less sunlight penetrates the ocean. Sunlight is needed for the growth of phytoplankton, and with less phytoplankton, there will be less zooplankton which feed on them. Following the food chain, there will be fewer fish, fewer seals, and so fewer polar bears. It is therefore not the case that more ice always leads to more polar bears.
There is a range of conditions that provide the optimum support for seal populations and thus polar bears. As long as there is sea ice during the winter and spring months, minimal sea ice in the summer can result in higher marine productivity.
Moreover, contrary to what we hear about polar bears being endangered, in 1973, an international treaty between Canada, Denmark, Norway, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and the United States was signed that outlawed the unrestricted hunting of polar bears. The polar bear population has increased from 6,000 to 12,000 in 1973 to between 22,000 and 31,000 in 2020. So by simply looking at the numbers, it is clear that polar bears are thriving.
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