Should Polar Bears Be on Endangered List?
May 15 is a big day for polar bears. A federal judge in Oakland has ordered the federal government to decide on May 15 if the polar bear should be placed on the endangered species list.
Polar bears survive by hunting arctic seals when the ice covers the polar waters. But global warming has reduced the time that ice is on the water. The bears’ time without food has gotten longer because of the ice reduction.
Scientists say that polar bears have turned to attacking each other and in some cases, drowning in attempts to get food. The reproductive rates and survival rates for polar bear cubs have also declined. According to a survey by the U.S. geological team, two-thirds of the polar bears may vanish by 2050.
So why is the government dragging its feet on this decision? The Interior Department missed a January deadline causing several groups to sue to force the decision.
Some environmentalists think that the Bush administration is moving slowly because it is still trying to open new oil and gas drilling in Alaska. The drilling areas are prime polar bear territory. If polar bears become endangered, the plan for drilling may have to be scrapped.
The Interior Department denies that there is any connection between Arctic drilling and the polar bear decision.
In fact, the Bush administration suggests that the move to save the polar bears is part of the strategy to stop the drilling.
At this point, whether the polar bears and the drilling decision are connected does not really matter. The date is set and the decision has to be made.
Source: Los Angeles Times
BLOG QUESTION
How would you vote on this decision? Should the polar bear be placed on the endangered species list?
Polar bears survive by hunting arctic seals when the ice covers the polar waters. But global warming has reduced the time that ice is on the water. The bears’ time without food has gotten longer because of the ice reduction.
Scientists say that polar bears have turned to attacking each other and in some cases, drowning in attempts to get food. The reproductive rates and survival rates for polar bear cubs have also declined. According to a survey by the U.S. geological team, two-thirds of the polar bears may vanish by 2050.
So why is the government dragging its feet on this decision? The Interior Department missed a January deadline causing several groups to sue to force the decision.
Some environmentalists think that the Bush administration is moving slowly because it is still trying to open new oil and gas drilling in Alaska. The drilling areas are prime polar bear territory. If polar bears become endangered, the plan for drilling may have to be scrapped.
The Interior Department denies that there is any connection between Arctic drilling and the polar bear decision.
In fact, the Bush administration suggests that the move to save the polar bears is part of the strategy to stop the drilling.
At this point, whether the polar bears and the drilling decision are connected does not really matter. The date is set and the decision has to be made.
Source: Los Angeles Times
BLOG QUESTION
How would you vote on this decision? Should the polar bear be placed on the endangered species list?
4 Comments:
I personally think that the drilling should be scrapped because endangering the ecosystem would damage OUR ecosystem and then cause a worldwide ecoclapse. I also think that the polar bears should be placed on the endangered species list. Losing the poler bears would just put them in story books and history books. If these bears die out, they will eventually damage the ecosystem that could affect what happens in the world.
I really think that polar bears should be on teh endangered list. Nobody will notice that they are in a big trouble (caused by global warming) unless we put it on the list. I wouldn't want polar bears to vanish in less than 50 years. I will still be alive (I hope) and I want to see them!
I believe polar should be on tthe list. we all know that global warming is melting the ice caps are melting and it is where the polar bears live. if we put it on then maybe they will get more attention and we may be closer to finding a solution. Polar bears may die soon and that may be the first, it may come onto many more animals too.
I believe that the polar bears should be on the list. we all know that the polar ice caps are melting and that is where they live. If we put them on the list we may give them more attention and be closer to a solution. If we do not put them on the list people are either frightened to face the truth or are thinking they still have a chance. this just may be the first that may lead to new animals.
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