
Emperor penguins are facing a drastic decline in numbers as sea ice melts and their habitats and breeding sites are rapidly destroyed.
Experts have predicted that if the climate warms as it expected to by 2100, ice which the birds raise their young on will disappear at such a rate that only half of the Emperor population will remain.
Currently the species is only officially rated at ‘Near Threatened’, but scientists say new evidence means the status should be upgraded to ‘Vulnerable’, and a proposal to do so is set to be submitted.
“These are very resilient birds; they experience really tough winters and keep coming back year after year to their breeding sites to raise their chicks,” leading researcher at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, Dr Michelle LaRue told BBC News.
“Emperors are fighters, but our concern is how long their resilience will continue into the future.”
Emperor penguins rely heavily on sea ice which sticks to the edge of the Antarctic, as it’s an ideal surface to lay an egg, incubate it and raise a chick.
But as global temperatures rise, the ice is at risk of not sticking around for long enough. Emperors need nine months to raise their young in the first year of their life before they can safely enter the sea.
If it melts too early, the babies will be forced to enter the sea before they’re ready – as they won’t have lost their furry coat or grown water-proof feathers.
Adults would also suffer, as fully grown penguins moult huge amounts of feathers in January and February, and entering the sea before this process is complete could cause them to drown.
Scientists say that even if temperature rises were kept at no more than 2C above pre-industrial times, this would still put some breeding sites out of action and reduce the current population of 250,000 penguins by half.
Share this article to show the world the damage global warming has on wildlife.
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
What is a vegan shampoo? And 11 fantastic brands to try
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 27th January 2023
Do you know which ingredients make your shampoo non-vegan? The cosmetic industry has gone through a radical shift in the last few years as more consumers become aware of the impact their purchases make. As a result, the demand for vegan hair care products has soared. Consumers are becoming more conscious of the ingredients in …
Continue reading “What is a vegan shampoo? And 11 fantastic brands to try”
Dietitians claim plant-based diet can stunt growth of infants
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 18th January 2023
The NHS Start for Life website has added information about vegan and vegetarian babies. Nutritionists and dietitians have raised concerns about the health implications of vegan diets for babies following the publication of the NHS’s vegan infant nutrition guide. The NHS Start for Life website, which provides guidance for new parents, has added a new …
Continue reading “Dietitians claim plant-based diet can stunt growth of infants”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …