Polar bear populations could die out by 2100. Here are 4 things you can do this Polar Bear Day to help the species survive.

02/23/2021 8:15 am ET • Jordan Simmons

Steven C Amstrup / Polar Bears International

Polar Bears are the mascots of the climate crisis. Can you imagine a world without them? This Polar Bear Day is an opportunity to get involved in the conversation to save the species from extinction.

As sea ice melts at record rates, polar bears are fasting inland for longer periods of times. The polar bear habitat provides the fatty nutrition they need to survive, such as seals, thereby allowing for life on the ice. In some areas, polar bears are able to live and hunt on sea ice year-round. In others, it melts, therefore the bears fast and rest to contain their energy.

Most polar bears could be gone by 2100 as a result of melting sea ice if the climate crisis goes unchecked, according to a study released in July 2020.

Conservationists are spreading awareness on Feb. 27 to mark International Polar Bear Day. This year’s focus is on polar bear moms and cubs. The educational opportunity arises at a time when mother polar bears and their cubs are denning across the Arctic. Polar bear cubs are born “extremely vulnerable.” They are born blind with light fur and are approximately the size of a guinea pig, according to Polar Bears International (PBI). “The cubs and mom emerge from their dens in the spring, during which PBI conducts long-term den emergence studies in Alaska and Svalbard,” PBI said in a press release.

PBI is the only nonprofit “dedicated solely to wild polar bears and their Arctic sea ice home.” They have compiled two facts to know and four ways to help this Polar Bear Day.

Here are two things to know about polar bears.

1. Undisturbed polar bear denning is critical for the bears’ survival.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refugee has made headlines over the years as one example of a polar bear habitat vulnerable as a result of fossil fuel extraction.

PBI has spent years studying denning polar bears. They detected that undisturbed denning is essential to the survival of polar bear cubs. During 2000 and 2010 the loss of polar bear cubs contributed to a 40% decline in the population of Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears.

“Each winter more pregnant female bears give birth to their cubs in the arctic refuge than any other area in Alaska. Seismic testing, road building and drilling pose significant on the ground threats to denning mother bears and their cubs,” Dr. Steven Amstrup, chief scientist of the Polar Bears International said before Congress in 2019. “The record shows that existing detection and avoidance measures do not adequately protect denning bears from these disturbances.”

2. Existing tools to detect denning polar bears are proven to be ineffective.

Aerial forward looking infrared (FLIR) surveys, which are used to locate and protect denning polar bears have failed to detect at least 50% of maternal polar bear dens.

Recent research shows that surveyors only found 45% of known polar bear dens when detecting for them between 2004 and 2016. Limits to this otherwise effective FLIR method of research may be placing polar bear mothers and cubs increasingly in harms way. As a result, scientists are emphasizing the importance of researching and testing other detection methods.

Here are four ways you can help.

International Polar Bear Day is an educational opportunity for lovers of wildlife and conservationists alike to get involved in advocacy and overall support. Here are four ways to get involved.

1. Donate to protect mother polar bears and their cubs.

This year, PBI is working to solve the problems posed by current denning polar bear detection tools. PBI is launching a campaign that will help fund the research needed to develop a new tool. A new tool would enhance methods to effectively detect dens hidden under the snow.

Donating to PBI is one way of helping protect polar bear cubs by ensuring scientists can fund the research to protect their future. “This [research] is critically important as more industry moves into the Arctic, threatening denning habitat and putting vulnerable moms and cubs at risk,” according to a PBI press release.

2. Take the ‘Protect Moms and Cubs Challenge.’

Polar Bears International

Those feeling passionate about a commitment to polar bear moms and cubs this Polar Bear Day can join the “Protect Moms and Cubs Challenge.”

The challenge is a fundraiser that allows participants to invite friends, family, and colleagues to get involved. PBI is rewarding the top three fundraisers with prizes.

3. Adopt a Polar Bear on International Polar Bear Day.

PBI offers both stuffed animals and virtual adoptions as a fun way to have a token along with a donation.

This offer includes a Cub of the Year Adoption, a Mom and Cub Adoption, a Twin Cubs Adoption and more — water bottles and imagery as well.

4. Stay in touch.

Polar Bears International

When talking about Polar Bear Day on social, include the following hashtags to join in on the conversation: #InternationalPolarBearDay, #PolarBearDay, #PolarBearsInternational, #ProtectMomsAndCubs and #SaveOurSeaIce.

Tune-in on Polar Bear Day.

PBI has a schedule of live programing In the lead up to International Polar Bear Day. In addition to live programming, viewers can checkout other research projects here. Learn five facts about mom and cubs to get prepared for conversations about polar bears. Lastly, escape from the news and politics by checking out the live Norther Lights cam.

Have a Happy Polar Bear Day!