两极地区蕴藏着可用于科学研究的丰富的自然资源，为有关环境研究、野生动植物安全和保护的国际合作提供大量机会。

地球两个冰雪覆盖的极地之间的差异之大犹如它们与地球其它地区的差异。北极和南极均生长着种类繁多的动植物，尤其是水生哺乳动物。

北极是北极熊、海豹、独角鲸、海象、多种海鸟和冷水珊瑚礁的家园。

地球上最冷的南极生长着数种不同种类的企鹅和信天翁、海燕等禽鸟。南极洲是一个与地球上任何其它大片陆地不相连的冰冻大陆，经常在那里出没的稀有哺乳动物包括海豹和鲸鱼等。

以极地为家园的两个标志性物种 – 南极的企鹅和北极的北极熊 – 正因失去海冰栖息地面临灭绝的威胁，极地冰层正在以比科学家们预期的速度更快地融化。

两极地区蕴藏着可用于科学研究的丰富的自然资源，为有关环境研究、野生动植物安全和保护的国际合作提供大量机会。

The polar regions of the Earth are very different, but both are threatened by climate change. The polar regions offer opportunities for international cooperation in environmental research, security and conservation of plants and wildlife.

The Earth’s two ice-covered polar regions are as distinct from one another as they are different from the rest of the planet. Both the northern Arctic and southern Antarctic shelter diverse forms of life, particularly aquatic mammals.

The Arctic is home to polar bears, seals, narwhals, walruses, sea birds and cold-water coral reefs.

The Antarctic, the coldest place on Earth, supports several species of penguins and birds, such as albatrosses and petrels. Seals and whales are among the rare mammals that frequent Antarctica, which is a frozen continent separate from any other major land mass.

Two species that symbolize their polar homes — penguins in Antarctica and polar bears in the Arctic — are threatened with extinction due to loss of their sea-ice habitats. The Arctic ice sheet is melting faster than scientists anticipated.

The polar regions are rich repositories of natural resources for scientific study and offer opportunities for international cooperation in environmental research, security and conservation of plants and wildlife.

Illustration by Jason Holley