According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), emperor penguins are now considered an endangered species. They were previously classified as Near Threatened.
The cause of this decline is the rapid loss of sea ice due to global warming.
If changes in sea ice continue along the current trajectory, the emperor penguin population will decrease to half its size by the 2080s. From 2009 to 2018, the emperor penguin population decreased by 10%, or 20,000 penguins, based on satellite imagery.
Emperor penguins rely on sea ice for breeding grounds. It is a vital habitat for chicks before they get their waterproof feathers. When the sea ice breaks up early, many chicks die.
According to Dr. Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General, “These important findings should spur us into action across all sectors and levels of society to decisively address climate change.”
What You Can Do to Help
If you would like to stop global warming, here are a few things you can do:
- Write a letter or draw a picture, and send it to your government representative, asking them to do something to about climate change.
- Reduce your carbon emissions by walking, biking or taking public transportation instead of driving.
- Use energy saver appliances and light bulbs.
- Buy locally grown produce.
- Don’t buy as much new stuff. Reuse things or buy used things.
For more information, see the IUCN website.
To learn more about emperor penguins, see our article: Emperor Penguin.
