Polar Bears Adapt Genetically to Survive Climate Change Threats

Polar bears are genetically adapting to survive climate change, according to a report by NBC News. Researchers from the University of Washington, led by Godden, analyzed blood samples from polar bears in northeastern and southeastern Greenland.

In the warmer southeastern region, they observed that genes associated with heat stress, aging, and metabolism were behaving differently compared to those in the northern bears. This indicates that different groups of polar bears are experiencing varying rates of genetic change linked to their specific environments.

Godden described this phenomenon as the first documented case of rising temperatures driving genetic change in a mammal, suggesting that these adaptations are a desperate survival mechanism against melting sea ice.

Warming ocean temperatures have led to reduced sea ice platforms, which are crucial for hunting seals, resulting in food scarcity for polar bears. Consequently, their digestive systems are adapting to a diet consisting of plants and lower fat content due to the lack of prey.

Godden expressed hope that this research highlights the importance of reducing carbon emissions to allow polar bears more time to adapt to their rapidly changing habitats.