Climate Change

Climate Change And Whales

Climate change is expected to affect cetaceans primarily via loss of habitat (given the distinct temperature-linked ranges of most species), changes in prey availability, quality and distribution, and potentially increased competition from range expansions of other species. Climate change may also affect how people around the world interact with marine mammals. As climate change puts more pressure on our populations, so we in turn may increasingly have a negative impact on them.

There are some indications that some cetaceans are already being significantly affected by climate change and to protect them and indeed to protect all other living things, including ourselves, we need to act now.

The effects of climate-change will be exacerbated by other factors affecting the whales including ocean acidification - which is also caused by excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The extent and the duration of temperature increases and the associated effects of climate change around the world will depend on how swiftly and effectively emissions of greenhouse gases can be restricted and reduced.

You can read more about the effects of climate change on whales in a recent report from WDCS and WWF.