TOPIC: The Impact of Climate Change on Arctic Wildlife

I. Introduction

A. Definition of climate change and its relevance to Arctic ecosystems.

B. Thesis statement

II. Historical Context of Arctic Wildlife

A. Discussion of historical climate patterns in the Arctic.

B. Introduction of primary sources such as historical records or indigenous

knowledge.

III. Direct Effects of Climate Change on Arctic Wildlife

A. Decline in sea ice extent and its impact on polar bears and seals.

B. Changes in Arctic vegetation and its consequences for herbivorous

species.

IV. Indirect Effects of Climate Change on Arctic Wildlife

A. Altered predator-prey dynamics due to shifting habitats.

B. Impacts on migratory patterns and breeding behaviors.

VI. Conclusion

A. Recap of the main findings regarding the impact of climate change on

Arctic wildlife.

B. Emphasis on the importance of primary sources in understanding

ecological shifts.
Primary Sources:

 Climate at a Glance for NOAA global and national surface temperature

maps, graphs, and underlying data. (Scientific data and reports)
 Interview with Maria Uy, an individual that experienced climate
change.

Secondary sources:

 Global Carbon Project. (2023, December 4). Fossil CO2 emissions at

record high in 2023. Accessed January 18, 2023, from
https://globalcarbonbudget.org/fossil-co2-emissions-at-record-high-in-
2….

 https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-
change-global-temperature

Paragraph Form:

Climate change is the shift of temperatures and weather patterns. This is the
most significant problem the planet is facing, this is because of the burning
of fossil fuels, like coal and oil, and deforestation have caused a
concentration of heat-trapping greenhouse gases to increase significantly in
our atmosphere. This can affect a lot in our Arctic wildlife because some of
the observed effects include rising sea levels, shrinking glaciers, the early
blooming of trees, the lengthening of growing seasons, and much more.

It caught the masses attention that the first half of the 20 th century saw a
major change from glacial to interglacial stages. This assumed that climate
change is the cause of this climate amelioration. This loss of habitat leads to
food shortages and population declines. Changes in temperature and
precipitation also impact prey species, further harming Arctic ecosystems.
The decline in sea ice extent and its impact on polar bears and seals is an
example of the direct effects of climate change on arctic wildlife, the change
of habitat causes these animals on the Arctic have a hard time with their
sustenance and may have a possibility of extinction. This is because of its
food preferences specially those animals that are herbivores, vegetation will
have a difficult time to produce due to climate change.

Another problem of the Arctic wildlife that is caused by climate change is

also the altered predator-prey dynamics due to the shifting of habitats. The
prey population will grow when the predator is absent and the predator
population will starve due to the absence of the prey population. This will
affect the breeding patterns of the animals and may have a possibility of
extinction.

To sum it all up, the Arctic wildlife is facing near extinction within decades
due to the climate change, it is concluded that the sea ice is declining
rapidly because of it and we are now facing the consequences of our own
actions. We must remember that giving importance to this Arctic wildlife will
help us understand better about our ecological shifts.