Articles

Here, you’ll find the latest news on polar bears, climate warming, the latest research, and more.

Climate Warming

Polar bears rely on sea ice to hunt, breed, roam, and sometimes to den. But the Arctic is warming and ice is melting due to human-caused climate change.

Polar bear stands on a melting sea ice floe and stares at the camera - Kt Miller
Climate Warming

What’s the Impact of AI on Polar Bears?

The growth of AI brings opportunities, but also enormous energy use. What does it mean for our climate, and for polar bears?

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Article | 4 min | Jul 13, 2026

Flag trees in snow along the frozen Hudson Bay in Churchill
Conservation Concerns

Why is polar bear trade and sport hunting legal?

And what is Polar Bears International’s position?

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Article | 7 min | Apr 14, 2026

Mother polar bear with 2 coys walking on ice in dim light
About Polar Bears

The Role of Genetics in Polar Bear Conservation

A new study looks at decoding the genetic makeup of the world’s polar bears, including how genetically diverse populations are and whether the bears might be able to adapt to a warming Arctic.

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Article | 9 min | Mar 24, 2026

Polar bear stepping from one ice floe to another - BJ Kirschhoffer
Climate Warming

Study: Climate-Linked Evolution and Genetics in a Warming Arctic

New research calls for genetic management plans and ecosystem connectivity; Finds polar bears are becoming smaller and less genetically diverse as sea ice disappears

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Article | 8 min | Mar 16, 2026

Dr. Louise Archer - Headshot
About Polar Bears

Modeling a Future for Polar Bears: Dr. Louise Archer

PBI postdoctoral researcher Dr. Louise Archer discusses her work in polar bear research and shares tips for those wanting to get into the field.

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Article | 5 min | Feb 5, 2026

Polar bear standing amongst broken up sea ice chunks - Trine Lise Sviggum Helgerud
About Polar Bears

Svalbard’s Polar Bears Maintaining Body Condition Despite Sea Ice Loss

A new long-term study of Svalbard’s polar bears finds that adult bears have largely maintained body condition between 1995 and 2019, despite the region’s rapid loss of sea ice.

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Article | 6 min | Jan 29, 2026

Kayla McCurry gives a presentation to guests in the Polar Bears International House in Churchill, Manitoba.
Annual Newsmagazine

Staying hopeful with climate steps that make a difference

The situation is far from helpless.

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Article | 3 min | Dec 17, 2025

A polar bear walks along the coast near Churchill, Manitoba as Hudson Bay begins to freeze
About Polar Bears

A long wait for sea ice

Hudson Bay, where Churchill's polar bears roam, saw its warmest fall on record. PBI's chief climate scientist, Dr. Flavio Lehner, gives us insight into what we saw with sea ice this season.

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Article | 3 min | Dec 16, 2025

Dark Clouds Cover Sky Above Melted Ice Floes in Svalbard - BJ Kirschhoffer
Climate Warming

Can we geoengineer the Arctic? Should we?

Explore the benefits and risks of geoengineering, specifically Solar Radiation Modification (SRM).

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Article | 9 min | Oct 8, 2025

A wildfire burns through the tundra and boreal forest south of Churchill, Manitoba, an area known for polar bear denning sites.
Climate Warming

Are polar bears affected by wildfires?

Although polar bears spend much of their lives on the sea ice, most spend time on land — and a small number build their dens in areas at risk from wildfires

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Article | 4 min | Sep 25, 2025

Arctic sea ice minimum chart, September 12 2025.
Climate Warming

Why has the Arctic sea ice minimum not set a new record in over 10 years?

Despite Arctic warming, the Arctic sea ice minimum hasn't set a record in a decade. Researchers discuss possible reasons

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Article | 3 min | Sep 14, 2025

Mother bear looking back at 1 cub, standing on ice
Climate Warming

New Research Shows Greater Stress on Western Hudson Bay Polar Bears

New research is raising greater concern about the Western Hudson Bay (WHB) population of polar bears, which includes the Churchill area. These studies add further context to the long-term decline observed in this population

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Article | 2 min | Aug 28, 2025

A polar bear on the shoreline tidal flats during summer near Churchill - BJ Kirschhoffer
About Polar Bears

As sea ice melts, Western Hudson Bay polar bears head to land for the summer

With summer underway, the sea ice in Canada’s Hudson Bay is melting rapidly, transforming it from a solid hunting platform for polar bears to open water.

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Article | 4 min | Jul 14, 2025

Polar bear examining kelp in snow
Climate Warming

Why can't polar bears survive on land-based foods?

Studies have shown that the calories bears consume on shore do not replace the calories they get from their fat-rich seal diet.

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Article | 4 min | Jun 14, 2025

Polar bear jumping between pieces of ice
Climate Warming

The US is again leaving the Paris Agreement. What does that mean for polar bears?

To protect the future of polar bears, and our own, the biggest and most important goal is reducing carbon emissions. The Paris Agreement is an important tool to reduce emissions, but it’s not the only one

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Article | 2 min | Jan 21, 2025