Climate Change: Santa’s Iconic Reindeer Dying Of Starvation From Warming Temperatures

International Business Times ^ | December 23, 2019 | By Palash Ghosh

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Reindeer, a beloved symbol of Christmas, are dying a slow death from starvation due to global warming in the Arctic.

In Sweden’s Arctic zone, the indigenous Sami people have herded reindeer for centuries. But the ancient grazing territory of reindeer is already under threat by mining and timber industries. Now climate change poses a more dire threat to their livelihood.

“If we don’t find better areas for them where they can graze and find food, then the reindeers will starve to death,” said Niila Inga, a Sami herder.

Searching for food, the reindeer have migrated to areas where food is scarce or abound with natural predators (like wolves, bears and eagles) and dangerous avalanches. As they grow weaker, females often abort their calves. Adults struggle to survive.

“Extreme and strange weather is getting more and more normal,” Inga said. “We have winter here for eight months a year and when it starts in October with bad grazing conditions it won’t get any better.”

Data from the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute indicate Sweden as a whole has warmed up by 2.95 degrees Fahrenheit since the preindustrial era. In Sweden’s northern regions, where reindeer are found, average winter temperatures between 1991 and 2017 were 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit higher when compared to the 1961-90 average.

The number of reindeer across the globe has fallen by more than half over the past 20 years largely due to climate change.

"The fact that these herds are declining shouldn't be a shock -- they do it all the time," said Don Russell of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "But they're at such low levels, you start to be concerned. If we return in 10 years and [their numbers] have gone down further, that would be unprecedented."

[A_perfect_lady]

But wait...doesnt global warming open up more grazing? Or do these animals eat ice?

This is puzzling me too. I have never, ever heard that warmer weather in the Arctic is bad for animals who eat vegetation. And this article doesn't explain it.

[Redcitizen]

I’ve got the BBQ sauce. Who has the potato salad?

[dfwgator]

Mmmmmm, Venison!

[Mastador1]

And yet, the polar bears are doing fine.

So you say, I just saw an ad last night put out by the Sierra Club? not sure, that was pushing the old ice melting Polar Bears dying bullshit trying to guilt dollars from the gullible. In a just world they would be prosecuted for false advertising and scamming.