Ice is Fragile,
Penguins Are Too
How Climate Change Affects Penguins
Penguins are on thin ice
What is Climate Change?
Climate change is when the weather changes over a long period of time. This isn’t just happening in one place, like the UK, but all over the world. It includes things like hotter temperatures, melting ice, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather like storms. This happens because people burn fuels like coal, oil, and gas, which release gases like carbon dioxide into the air. These gases trap heat from the sun, making the planet warmer. This is bad for animals, plants, and even humans. We all need to work together to stop it and help protect our planet.
Penguin species that are at risk of extinction.
of Emperor Penguin colonies have lost their breeding grounds.
around 80% of Emperor Penguins could disappear if nothing is done.
3 Biggest Causes of Antarctic Climate Change
Burning Fossil Fuels
People burn coal, oil, and gas to make energy, but this releases carbon dioxide into the air, trapping heat and making the world, including Antarctica, warmer.
Deforestation
Cutting down trees means the planet can’t absorb as much carbon dioxide, which makes global warming worse and affects ice formation in Antarctica.
Industrial Pollution
Factories release harmful gases that heat up the planet, causing ice to melt and harming the animals that live in Antarctica.
Antarctic Ecosystem
What Happens to Other Antarctic Animals if Penguins Disappear?
The Food Chain is Affected
Penguins eat krill and fish, while bigger animals like seals and killer whales eat penguins. If penguins disappear, it could lead to too many krill or not enough food for larger predators.
Loss of Nutrients
Penguin droppings help fertilise the ocean, helping other marine life grow. Without penguins, this process would slow down.
Biodiversity Changes
Other animals that depend on penguins in some way could struggle to survive.
Unstable Habitats
Penguins help keep the ecosystem balanced, so if their numbers drop, it could make Antarctica’s environment even harder for animals to live in.
Why Penguins Are Important for the Ocean
They Help Keep the Food Chain Balanced
Penguins eat small fish and krill, while predators like seals eat penguins. If penguins disappear, the whole balance could be thrown off.
They Show Us How the Planet is Changing
Penguins react to even small environmental changes, so scientists use them to see how climate change is affecting Antarctica.
They Help Keep the Ocean Healthy
Their waste provides nutrients that help small marine life grow, which supports the entire food chain.
They Indicate Ecosystem Health
A healthy penguin population often means a well-balanced marine ecosystem. If penguin numbers decline, it can be an early warning sign of larger environmental problems.
The Big 4
The 4 Most Common Penguins in Antarctica & Their Biggest Threats
Emperor Penguin
The biggest penguin. They need sea ice to survive, but warming temperatures are melting their homes.
Adélie Penguin
These penguins depend on ice to find food, but because the ice is disappearing, they are struggling to eat.
Chinstrap Penguin
Named for the black band under their chin, they are losing their habitat and food because of climate change.
Gentoo Penguin
These penguins are moving further south as temperatures rise. They are threatened by human activity and overfishing.
How Climate Change Affects Penguins
Melting Ice
Penguins rely on ice to breed and find food. If the ice melts, they struggle to survive.
Less Food
Warming waters are reducing krill numbers, leaving penguins hungry.
Hotter Weather
Higher temperatures affect penguins’ breeding and nesting.
How Has the Penguin Population Changed?
1
Year 2000 Population
Around 238,000 breeding pairs of Emperor Penguins were recorded.
2
Year 2024 Population
Some penguin colonies have shrunk by up to 50%. Between 2009 and 2018, Emperor Penguin numbers dropped by 9.6%.
3
At Risk?
Nearly 50% of all penguin species are now considered “Endangered” or “Vulnerable.”
Penguin Population Mapping & Tracking
Find out more about how many penguins there are, where they live, and how they move around Antarctica. Click on the imnage below.
