More than 80% of emperor penguin colonies will be gone by 2100

A new study from Global Change Biology found that about 70% of all emperor penguin colonies will end up in

dangers before 2050, and by 2100, more than 80% of the colonies will actually disappear.

The authors believe that if a decision is made onreduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, there will be enough sea ice left to support the population. 

Emperor penguins' life cycle is dependent on sea ice, which they need for breeding, feeding and molting. 

Stephanie Genouvrier, penguin ecologist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

If the sea ice disappears before the young penguins swap their fluffy baby feathers for sleek adults, then the birds will not be able to swim in the cold waters and will die.

Currently there are between 270 and 280 thousand.breeding pairs of emperor penguins. In total, there are between 625 and 650 thousand individuals on Earth. The International Union for Conservation of Nature currently classifies emperor penguins as endangered.

In addition to emperor penguins, the US government has proposed adding the polar bear to the list of endangered animals. 

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