2° IS TOO MUCH
IMPACTS OF 2°C GLOBAL WARMING
ON ANTARCTIC PENGUINS
A new study commissioned by WWF which combines state-of-the art climate models with latest scientific knowledge on penguin ecology clearly demonstrates that Antarctic penguins are in jeopardy. The research shows that 50% of the colonies of the iconic Emperor penguin and 75% Adelie penguin colonies face marked decline or disappearance if global temperature is allowed to rise 2°C above preindustrial levels. 2°C global warming could be a reality in less than 40 years; reduced sea ice coverage and thickness would make it increasingly diffi cult for some penguins to
hunt and to breed1.
Global warming and Antarctica
Although far from the centers of human population, Antarctica has important relevance to human-caused global warming. Over the past 50 years, human activities - burning of fossil fuels and the clearing of forests for agriculture - have led to large-scale changes in the global climate, including altered wind patterns, increases in air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and global sea level rise. The Antarctic Peninsula is among the regions that is warming the fastest and the melting of its glaciers is contributing to global sea level rise.
Not only does Antarctica play an important role in the global climate system, it is also home to unique species which are found nowhere else on Earth. Whales, seals, penguins
and other seabirds thrive on abundant, fi sh, krill and other plankton in the Southern Ocean. Lichens, mosses and bacteria can be found in the coldest, darkest, harshest parts
of the continent. These species are part of our planet’s rich and biodiverse heritage. They enrich and infl uence the culture of human civilization and continue to capture the imagination
of generations.
50% of the colonies of the iconic Emperor penguin and 75% Adelie penguin colonies face marked decline or disappearance if global temperature is allowed to rise 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
Conclusions:
Currently, approximately 50% of Emperor penguin colonies, representing almost 40% of the total world population, as well as 75% of colonies and about 70% of the total world population of Adélie penguins exist north of 70° S. The signifi cant lessening of sea ice projected at these latitudes by 2025-2070, should have negative effects on these colonies3. Therefore, by the time
mean global atmospheric temperature rises to 2°C above pre-industrial levels – a possibility that could take place in fewer than 40 years - we can expect major reductions and changes in the abundance and distribution of pack-ice penguins.
The only way to significantly reduce the risks of climate change in Antarctica as well as globally is to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Scientifi c fi ndings are clearly showing that emissions reduction must be much stronger than currently planned if dangerous global impacts of climate change are to be avoided4. Even with ambitious emission cuts, however, damages will be large: any impact that occurs below a global atmospheric temperature rise of 1°C is now
unavoidable. It is imperative that action is taken to conserve ecosystems in their changed environment and help them build resilience against the effects of climate change. Research shows that depleted ecosystems have the least resilience to changing climate.
IMPACTS OF 2°C GLOBAL WARMING
ON ANTARCTIC PENGUINS
A new study commissioned by WWF which combines state-of-the art climate models with latest scientific knowledge on penguin ecology clearly demonstrates that Antarctic penguins are in jeopardy. The research shows that 50% of the colonies of the iconic Emperor penguin and 75% Adelie penguin colonies face marked decline or disappearance if global temperature is allowed to rise 2°C above preindustrial levels. 2°C global warming could be a reality in less than 40 years; reduced sea ice coverage and thickness would make it increasingly diffi cult for some penguins to
hunt and to breed1.
Global warming and Antarctica
Although far from the centers of human population, Antarctica has important relevance to human-caused global warming. Over the past 50 years, human activities - burning of fossil fuels and the clearing of forests for agriculture - have led to large-scale changes in the global climate, including altered wind patterns, increases in air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and global sea level rise. The Antarctic Peninsula is among the regions that is warming the fastest and the melting of its glaciers is contributing to global sea level rise.
Not only does Antarctica play an important role in the global climate system, it is also home to unique species which are found nowhere else on Earth. Whales, seals, penguins
and other seabirds thrive on abundant, fi sh, krill and other plankton in the Southern Ocean. Lichens, mosses and bacteria can be found in the coldest, darkest, harshest parts
of the continent. These species are part of our planet’s rich and biodiverse heritage. They enrich and infl uence the culture of human civilization and continue to capture the imagination
of generations.
50% of the colonies of the iconic Emperor penguin and 75% Adelie penguin colonies face marked decline or disappearance if global temperature is allowed to rise 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
Conclusions:
Currently, approximately 50% of Emperor penguin colonies, representing almost 40% of the total world population, as well as 75% of colonies and about 70% of the total world population of Adélie penguins exist north of 70° S. The signifi cant lessening of sea ice projected at these latitudes by 2025-2070, should have negative effects on these colonies3. Therefore, by the time
mean global atmospheric temperature rises to 2°C above pre-industrial levels – a possibility that could take place in fewer than 40 years - we can expect major reductions and changes in the abundance and distribution of pack-ice penguins.
The only way to significantly reduce the risks of climate change in Antarctica as well as globally is to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Scientifi c fi ndings are clearly showing that emissions reduction must be much stronger than currently planned if dangerous global impacts of climate change are to be avoided4. Even with ambitious emission cuts, however, damages will be large: any impact that occurs below a global atmospheric temperature rise of 1°C is now
unavoidable. It is imperative that action is taken to conserve ecosystems in their changed environment and help them build resilience against the effects of climate change. Research shows that depleted ecosystems have the least resilience to changing climate.
