Overview
- The IUCN, which updated its Red List Thursday, moved the species from Near Threatened to Endangered.
- Population models in the new assessment project numbers could fall by about half by 2080 if current trends continue.
- Satellite images indicate the global population fell by roughly 10% between 2009 and 2018.
- Chicks and molting adults stay on sea ice and cannot swim, so early breakups can strand and kill them.
- The IUCN says cutting greenhouse-gas emissions is needed to prevent a steep decline.