Social Good

12 adorable animals threatened by climate change

There's constantly a well-deserved buzz around climate change and its impacts. But global conversations on the topic are at their peak right now, thanks to the Paris Climate Summit that runs until Dec. 11.

A stressed and deteriorating climate is already impacting you, even if you don't realize the affects. Not only that, but climate change is impacting some of nature's most prized possessions — animals that are cute, cuddly and in crisis.

Many of these creatures are already in danger, dealing with human influences like poaching and habitat loss through deforestation. But climate changes, also caused by human influences, are proving to be exceedingly detrimental to some animal populations. Here are 12 of the most threatened species — and what you can do to help them.

1. Polar bears

Image: Sylvain Cordier / hemis.fr

Polar bears have long been the face of the climate change movement — and for good reason. Polar bears thrive in icy habitats that are rapidly melting due to rising temperatures. Listed as a threatened species since 2008, there are only 20,000 to 25,000 polar bears estimated to be living in the wild.

A photo posted by National Geographic (@natgeo) on Nov 28, 2015 at 6:17am PST

To learn more about the climate's impact on polar bears and to adopt-a-bear, visit the World Wildlife Fund.

2. Penguins

Image: David Merron

Penguins, specifically Adélie penguins on the Antarctic continent, are feeling the impacts of climate change on their habitats. Adélies are sea ice obligate birds, meaning they can only exist where sea ice is present. Rising global temperatures are causing major habitat shifts for penguins, threatening their ability to thrive in their only livable environment.

3. Pikas

Image: Roberta Olenick

The American pika, which is cousin to the rabbit, is already being considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act by the Wildlife Service due to climate change's impact on its population. Rising global temperatures are pushing pikas out of the habitats they historically have called home, leading to a crisis for the species. When exposed to high heat, pikas, which have adapted to cold alpine temperatures, can die from overheating in just a few hours. Many experts say the animals could possibly be the first animal to go extinct due to climate shifts.

4. Pandas

Image: Frank Lukasseck

Pandas, which are named a critical species by conservation groups, are seeing one of their main food sources— bamboo — decimated by climate change. Some experts estimate climate change will halve panda populations by 2070 due to this food depletion and habitat loss.

A photo posted by Smithsonian's National Zoo (@smithsonianzoo) on Nov 17, 2015 at 8:31am PST

To learn more about the panda, and to donate to conservation efforts, visit the World Wildlife Fund.

5. Seals

Image: Michelle Valberg

Seals, specifically ringed seals of the Arctic and sub-Arctic, are not only threatened by brutal poaching, but are also being pushed out of their environments due to climate shifts. Reduced snowfall and receding ice put these animals in dire straits, as they spend almost their entire lives on ice.

To learn more about the situation facing seals and to donate to efforts to curb climate's impact on their populations, visit the National Wildlife Federation.

6. Sea turtles

Image: M Swiet Productions

Sea turtles, an already endangered species, are especially threatened by climate change. These animals live in a medium between land and sea, with rising temperatures throwing off that sensitive balance. Sea turtles have an internal compass of sorts, always returning to where they were born to reproduce. With rising sea levels, these habitats that support new sea turtle populations are at risk of drowning out, further depleting populations.

A photo posted by National Geographic (@natgeo) on Nov 21, 2015 at 4:38am PST

To learn more about sea turtles and to support efforts to aid these at-risk animals, visit the Sea Turtle Conservatory.

7. Puffins

Image: Sandra Leidholdt

Puffins main food source, specific species of fish, are moving into deeper water due to rising sea temperatures, making access to food a problem for the puffin. Puffins are almost non-existent in habitats where they once thrived, leading to concerns over the future of the population if climate stresses persist.

To support the puffin and learn more about its struggle to cope with climate change, visit The Audubon Society' Project Puffin.

8. Koalas

Image: nattanan726

Koalas are facing habitat shifts due to rising global temperatures that greatly threaten the future of the species. Droughts and bushfires caused by dry conditions are destroying koala habitats, putting the already sensitive population in greater danger. According to the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF), it is estimated that only 45,000 and 90,000 koalas are left in the wild, with that number expected to drop due to climate-related threats.

9. Orangutans

Image: Mint Images/Frans Lanting

Orangutans live in the rainforest, surviving off of fruit. To grow, that fruit needs a good amount of rain — rain that has been becoming less and less frequent due to climate change. Dry rainforest environments also lead to fires, pushing orangutans out of habitats and into unstable, unfamiliar territory.

To learn more about how you can help orangutans surviving the climate crisis, visit Orangutan Outreach.

10. Frogs

Image: Lindsey Luke / EyeEm

Experts say frogs are already altering their breeding habits to accommodate the changing climate, as well as moving from habitats which they have long been present. This shift in behavior is expected to decline their populations — in fact, climate change is already projected to make several species of frogs extinct in coming years.

A photo posted by Zoos Victoria (@zoosvictoria) on May 26, 2015 at 10:09pm PDT

To learn more about how you can help support frogs dealing with climate shifts, visit Save The Frogs.

11. Elephants

Image: Manoj Shah

Rising temperatures have stunted the growth of plants and fruit elephants thrive on. Advocates worry food shortages will hit elephant populations, causing malnutrition in the species. Along with food concerns, watering holes are drying up due to climate change, which are essential to the health of the species. Asian elephants, in particular, are already endangered with climate shifts exacerbating the situation.

To learn more on the climate's impact on elephants and to support efforts to curb them, visit Save The Elephants.

12. Snow leopards

Image: Ellen van Bodegom

With snowfall becoming less and less frequent due to climate shifts, snow leopard populations are being concentrated into smaller areas in their mountain habitats. Being forced to higher elevations where snow is present means moving further from their prey, a problem when it comes to sustaining adequate food. Snow leopards are already an endangered species, meaning any further stress on their populations is potentially catastrophic.

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