Polar bears, the charismatic icons of the polar environment, have long been a focus of WWF's on-the-ground research and conservation projects in the Arctic. They are an essential part of the Arctic ecosystem.

The film features some truly spectacular images of these magnificent creatures as they face the harsh reality of the threats that surround them. One such threat is climate change, which is melting the sea ice, on which polar bears depend to hunt for food, at an alarming rate.

In addition, active oil and gas exploration, extraction and transportation activities are increasing throughout the Arctic, fragmenting and disturbing the polar bears' habitat as well as introducing oil and other toxic substances into their environment. Currently there is no effective process to clean up an oil spill in polar conditions.

If our grandchildren are to live in a world with polar bears in it, we must all take action now to reduce our emissions of carbon dioxide. Scientists predict that all Arctic summer ice could be lost by 2030 - or even by 2013 in more recent modelling - which further increases the urgency for us to take action.

The film, from the makers of March of the Penguins and is out on general release from 8 February.

Watch the trailer