Emperor penguins under threat from climate change

Huddled together, a natural instinct to survive the coldest of winters, but the emperor penguins are struggling in a changing climate. They are just such a fascinating creature because they live in some of the harshest conditions on the planet, living on sea ice, breeding on sea ice through the winter. And then, you know, what they may not survive is the warmth. The species rely heavily on sea ice, but it's melting earlier in the year. This puts both the adults who have an annual molt period where they shed and replace waterproof feathers and their chicks who may only have their down feathers still at significant risk if they were to end up in the water. And they aren't the only Antarctic species struggling. Elephant and fur seal populations are also shrinking. It doesn't really surprise me. What is surprising is the speed of the decline. And that's the reason why they have been listed as endangered. The fate of these species and of all Antarctic species is they are very closely linked to climate change policy. With two key intergovernmental meetings in the coming months, conservationists are calling for emperor penguins to be designated a specifically protected species and to establish a protected area around the Antarctic Peninsula, a measure that's been under negotiation for nearly a decade. A federal government spokesperson said globally, a number of species are under threat from the impacts of climate change. This underlines the need for Australia and the world to take action now, including reaching net zero emissions. Emperor penguins are emblematic species. They have a very high profile in the media. Recently, one captured global attention when it was spotted in Western Australia, and they were popularised in. Experts hoping that profile can prompt urgent action to help these species find their feet. Veronica Lennard, SBS World News.