http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/26/AR2006122601034.htmlThe 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."
It took polar bears for the govt. to finally take the Global Warming issue seriously. Well if that's what it takes, it works for me.
But polar bears suck. So if we lost them all, it would not be important. Open season on polar bears! They have icees for blood!
I'm glad they're finally getting to it.
They're all going to die anyways. I am despondent.
Too little, too late
how about we just save the polar bear's genome on a DVD-R so we can clone it if we want to bring it back to life in a few hundred years?
Damn the polar bears! They're all pawns of the Coca Cola Company anyway! Just like Santa Claus!...You don't suppose Santa Claus could go extinct, too?
>>55236god I hope so
The Coca Cola ads portray a mystical animal from fantasy times, the A white bear that lives amongst ice flows.
>>55257It's floes, moron
real reason why polar bears are getting extinct:do you know what happens when polar bears have sex?
When polar bears have sex, one iceberg melts.
I heard time stops when polar bears have sex. And *then* an iceberg melts.
one word...fracture (and it's not ice)
Every time a polar bear masturbates, God kills an iceberg.