Climate change is the change in global climate patterns that disturbs the regional climates and daily weather. This causes changes related to the oceans, land surfaces, and ice sheets melting. Another term used often to describe climate change is global warming. Global warming is the heating of the Earth. Due to these drastic changes to the Earth’s environment, it is negatively affecting many species of animals, especially the ones that live in colder areas like the Arctic.

According to The WWF Foundation, the animals most affected by climate change are; Polar Bears, Giant Panda, Snow Leopard, Tiger, Monarch Butterfly, Green Sea Turtle, African Elephant, Mountain Gorilla, Asain Elephant, and the Cheetah. These animals are endangered due to intense drought, rising sea levels, and warming oceans. These effects have been more frequent over the past years.

Polar Bear's conservation status is now vulnerable. The ice in the oceans and the polar caps are melting, making it difficult for polar bears to live in such conditions. As stated by The WWF Foundation, Polar Bears spend 50% of their time hunting for food and rely on the ice for traveling and hunting. Due to the lack of ice in the Arctic, Polar Bears are starving and the population decreases quickly.

Climate change and global warming are serious threats to animals and their environments. Consider the number of changes the Earth has gone through that affect these species severely, it creates new challenges for animals to go up against for their survival.