U.S. Wants Polar Bears Listed as Threatened—Designation May Force Action on Global Warming

[NYCGirl]

Is this what it will take to make people care? I knew the polar bears would make a difference!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/26/AR2006122601034.html

The Bush administration has decided to propose listing the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, putting the U.S. government on record as saying that global warming could drive one of the world's most recognizable animals out of existence.

The administration's proposal -- which was described by an Interior Department official who spoke on the condition of anonymity -- stems from the fact that rising temperatures in the Arctic are shrinking the sea ice that polar bears need for hunting. The official insisted on anonymity because the department will submit the proposal today for publication in the Federal Register, after which it will be subject to public comment for 90 days.

Identifying polar bears as threatened with extinction could have an enormous political and practical impact. As the world's largest bear and as an object of children's affection as well as Christmastime Coca-Cola commercials, the polar bear occupies an important place in the American psyche. Because scientists have concluded that carbon dioxide from power-plant and vehicle emissions is helping drive climate change worldwide, putting polar bears on the endangered species list raises the legal question of whether the government would be required to compel U.S. industries to curb their carbon dioxide output.

"We've reviewed all the available data that leads us to believe the sea ice the polar bear depends on has been receding," said the Interior official, who added that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials have concluded that polar bears could be endangered within 45 years. "Obviously, the sea ice is melting because the temperatures are warmer."

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Something tells me that this is a feeler. A probe.

Something to guage reaction from business and the base.

[badgerpup]

2. Breathable air and drinkable water? Naw....But polar bears, now...

Hey. If if that's what it takes, it works for me. :shrug:
:banghead:

[NobleCynic]

15. No kidding

Sometimes I don't understand people.

[Auntie Bush]

3. Thanks for the post.

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

4. This is huge news

Polar bears aren't being hunted -- the only reason they are threatened is because of the changing climate.

[TX-RAT]

9. Their still hunted in Canada.

http://www.polarbearhunting.net/

[DeepModem Mom]

5. K&R

[highplainsdem]

6. K&R

[dubeskin]

7. K&R and wow

Ya know, when people realize National Geographic can't do any more polar bear movies, then will we realize we need to stop or slow global warming. But hey, it may work!

[NYCGirl]

10. If the polar bears are what pushes this over the top of peoples' consciousness,

so be it.

[barb162]

16. my thought too

[leftchick]

8. They were forced by Environmental Group Lawsuits....

<snip>

By submitting the proposal today, the Interior Department is meeting a deadline under a legal settlement with three environmental advocacy groups -- the Center for Biological Diversity, the Natural Resources Defense Council and Greenpeace -- that argue the government has not responded quickly enough to the polar bear's plight. The department has been examining the status of polar bears for more than two years.

NRDC senior attorney Andrew Wetzler, one of the lawyers who filed suit against the administration, welcomed the proposal for listing.

"It's such a loud recognition that global warming is real," Wetzler said. "It is rapidly threatening the polar bear and, in fact, an entire ecosystem with utter destruction."

<snip>

The ice in Canada's western Hudson Bay breaks up 2 1/2 weeks earlier than it did 30 years ago, giving polar bears there less time to hunt and build up fat reserves that sustain them for eight months before hunting resumes. As local polar bears have become thinner, female polar bears' reproductive rates and cubs' survival rates have fallen, spurring a 21 percent population drop from 1997 to 2004.

[Tellurian]

11. Great info, thanks..

even if it may take another year before we see any action.

NYCgirl...may I borrow your graphic?

[Kolesar]

12. Maybe we should feed them

smoked energy company executives.

[lonestarnot]

13. SSSSSHHHHHH. Don't TELL the bastard, he won't sign!

[Lisa]

14. so every company using polar bears in their advertising ...

... had better be prepared to go carbon-neutral, even if it means coughing up some dollars to do so. I think it's put-up or shut-up time (and I'm looking in your direction, Coca-Cola!).