Climate Change to Devastate Adélie Penguin Population in Antarctica by Up to 60%

At least 60 percent of Antarctica’s Adélie penguin population could be wiped out by the end of this century due to climate change, new research shows. Colonies of Adélie penguins, which are only found in Antarctica, have been steadily declining since the 1980s parts of Antarctic that are warming, unable to raise chicks because of rising sea surface temperatures and reduced food supply.

Rising sea surface temperatures mean Adélie penguins have difficulty rearing chicks. University of Delaware / Megan Cimino

Some parts of the continent are warming much more quickly than other and regions with more stable climates have seen steady penguins populations. Scientists predict that penguins will be forced to permanently migrate south to find more habitable conditions.

For a deeper dive: National Geographic, Independent, Motherboard, Wired, Huffington Post, UPI, Think Progress, Christian Science Monitor

For more climate change and clean energy news, you can follow Climate Nexus on Twitter and Facebook, and sign up for daily Hot News.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

31 Science Groups to Congress: Greenhouse Gases Emitted by Human Activities Is Primary Driver of Climate Change

Endangered Sea Turtle Recovering After Being Trampled, Beaten by Selfie-Taking Tourists

Pink Snow a Bad Sign for the Future, Scientists Say

Climate Change Puts Squeeze on Cuddly Koalas