Global Warming Is Killing Arctic Whales

How you ask? Check out this article to find out!

Scientific Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Eutheria
Superorder: Laurasiatheria
Order: Cetacea

Photo above: Narwhals

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How Does Global Warming Affect Arctic Whales?
By Sylvie Leochko

Global warming affects negatively the environment and everything in it. There are more than just humans that are affected by it. In fact, such a negative process has been hasted by the human race through pollution. While the Earth is trying its best to cool out its environment by using its natural resources such as volcanic eruptions, it cannot seem to be able to be as effective as needed.

Several species are affected negatively by global warming, especially at the Poles. In fact, as these regions are the most vulnerable ones, the living beings inhabiting these areas are fighting for their own survival. Arctic whales such as Bowheads, Belugas and Narwhals are also suffering from global warming. How does global warming affect Arctic whales?

Global warming is a process affecting the temperature of the atmosphere, which provides negative effects on the environment, its fauna, its flora as well as climates. In fact, it has been creating such a havoc that several species either had to adapt, become endangered of face extinction.

Photo right: Beluga Whale

You see, now that global warming has been responsible for melting up to 14% of the ice-capped regions at the poles since the 1970’s it has been affecting Arctic whales species such as the Beluga and the Narwhal more than any other type of whales as these species feed on the creatures living on ice-edges areas.

Also, as the water temperature is rising, other whale species that are usually living in more temperate waters are now moving up North, forcing Belugas and Narwhals to either share their food and habitat with them or retire to regions located to higher latitude regions.

Such a move may have its advantages in a way, but it can also affect the survival of numerous members of these species as open water holes are not as high in numbers which would sentence many of them to death by drowning.

As if global warning is not enough, the Arctic whales also have to fight off pollution, tourism, fishing as well as industrial and military activities since the opening of the Northwest Passage.

You see, the noise and carbon dioxide affecting their natural habitat does not only affect the quality of life of the Arctic whales, it also affects their well-fare and their survival.

Arctic whales such as Belugas and Bowheads have been known to flee whale watching tours as far as 35 kilometers away from these ships. Humans are not only responsible for the harm done by global warming, pollution and Inuit fishing but the effects are such that it is imperative that they take these matters into their own hands by solving or at least diminish the severity of it by taking action.

Photo above: Bowhead Whales

The conservation status of the Beluga whale is currently stated as vulnerable but the conditions imposed on this specie may soon put it on the endangered species list. While Bowheads are currently part of that list, if nothing is done to remediate or at least diminish the effects of the global warming on these poor marine mammals, they may soon face extinction.

As for the Narwhal, often known as a legendary creature that is in fact reality, its conservation status may now be of special concern but if things continue this way, in the near future, their existence may only exist between the lines of a legend printed in a book.

Don’t let Arctic whales become part of history. Put an end to global warming and pollution, making such changes, historic ones! After all, what humans started they can solve as well. Didn’t your parents ever taught you to clean up your mess before starting over…and succeeding?

My name is Sylvie Leochko. I am fascinated by whales, which is why I like to share my acquired knowledge on them with others. If you wish to learn more about whales, I invite you to visit the following site: http://www.whales.findoutnow.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Does-Global-Warming-Affect-Arctic-Whales?&id=683512

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I hope you enjoyed today’s installment of Exotic Animal Lover! Until next time…

Live Exotically,

Kimberly Edwards

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