why we need to protect polar bears

We need to protect polar bears because they play a critical role in maintaining Arctic and marine ecosystems by keeping biological populations in balance, such as controlling seal populations which affects marine life and food sources for humans. They are an apex predator vital to the health of the marine environment and are an important part of Indigenous peoples' cultures and economies in the Arctic region. Protecting polar bears also means protecting many other species and the Arctic ecosystem that supports over 4 million people, including Indigenous communities relying on these ecosystems for survival. Furthermore, polar bears are an indicator species for climate change , as they depend on sea ice for hunting, resting, mating, and denning. The rapid loss of sea ice due to global warming threatens their survival and signals broader environmental changes harmful to Earth's climate system. Immediate conservation efforts are crucial to ensure polar bears and the ecosystems they help sustain continue to exist, which ultimately has direct and indirect benefits for human communities and global biodiversity.