It May Be Too Late For Polar Bears … But Is It Too Late For My Grand-Children?
September 13th, 2007 by Carbon CoalitionWhile FOTPC’s here in NH are helping the presidential candidates further the dialogue about their plans to combat global warming, the Arctic is preparing to say goodbye to polar bears - forever.
The U.S. Geological Survey just released a series of reports that will inform the U.S. Government on its upcoming decision over whether or not to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.
Polar bears, which rely on sea ice to hunt seals, are at risk of extinction due to the increasing loss of sea ice. With warming temperatures in the Arctic, sea ice reductions are on the rise posing great risk to polar bear habitat.
Dr. Neil Hamilton, director of the WWF Arctic Programme commented that ”The world is still discussing whether or not to take rapid action against climate change. Politicians are fiddling at the edges while the Arctic wilderness succumbs to global warming; but in the meantime, they are sending one of the world’s greatest species on its way to extinction.”
According to the Environment News Service, the reports predict that almost two-thirds of the world’s 19 polar bear populations will be extinct by mid-century and that three more populations of polar bears will probably be extinct within 75 years. Hamilton stated that “we now have official confirmation that the largest living land predator is going to go extinct in our lifetime.” Apparently my grand-children will have to skip the zoo and head to a museum if they want to see a polar bear.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will report back in January on whether or not polar bears need to be protected under the Endangered Species Act. While the prediction for polar bears seems dismal, the verdict is still out for our children and grandchildren. The next president must have a plan to combat global warming for the sake of future generations who don’t yet have a voice to fight with on their own.
