Climate Change and the Plight of the Polar Bear

Thanks to Al Gore's 2006 climate change documentary (?), 'An Inconvenient Truth', many now believe the polar bear is on the brink of extinction because of the lack of sea ice.   Al's movie portrayed them flailing around in the water, exhausted, and ultimately dying in a failed attempt to find any ice to rest upon.  Thus, the distressed polar bear had become the unofficial "face" of climate change and global warming.

Let me a assure you however, the polar bear is doing just fine.  A new study released by the Norwegian Polar Institute finds that the population of polar bears has increased 30% in the 11 years since 2004.  And, the study concludes that they all appear to be in excellent health with some even described as "fat as pigs".  Ah yes.  Life is good in polar bear land; especially since hunting them down legally has been outlawed for the last 40 years.

To me, the phrase "fat as pigs" doesn't describe an animal that is fighting for its life,  as Al Gore would have us believe.  Instead, it implies a pretty laid-back lifestyle with plenty of food.  A lot like someone's portly old uncle glued to his couch; chugging beer; and, having  pizza every day.  Maybe not a healthy lifestyle, but certainly one not lacking in rest and food.

References:

Al Gore's Polar Bear Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6muVtgLto0

New Survey: Polar bear numbers increased 30% over last 11 years in key population – Some of them ‘as fat as pigs’: http://www.climatedepot.com/2015/12/23/new-survey-polar-bear-numbers-increased-30-over-last-11-years-in-key-population-some-of-them-as-fat-as-pigs/