Going, going, gone

May 24, 2008

Global warming could drive one of the world's most recognizable animals out of existence

"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 [unnamed] 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." (The Seattle Times Do polar bears belong on the endangered species list? Thursday, February 21, 2008)
The Polar Bear is considered by the US government to be an “Animal in danger” or “threatened animal,” not completely an “Endangered animal [species].” [There is a difference.] An “Endangered animal” has the complete protection of Law Enforcement but an “Animal in danger” classification roughly means officials are “thinkin’ damn strong about it” and some safeguards are dropped, like “There is a clause in the act that excludes global warming from the list of threats the federal government must consider when trying to protect polar bear habitat. Instead of “endangered,” the polar bear is listed as “threatened” and gets more limited protection than that provided by a global warming listing. Of course, global warming is the dire threat facing polar bears today, so this means nothing.”( Kansas City Star May 23, 2008 “Letters to the Editor”)
No more cute Coca Cola Christmas commercials because by 2050, sea ice loss likely will result in two-thirds of the polar bears disappearing. Your grandkids would look at the ad and ask, “What’s that?”
The Bush administration “is forcing the polar bear to sink or swim,” said Rep. Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat and chairman of a House committee on global warming.
Sen. John Kerry, also a Massachusetts Democrat, called the listing “a lifeline,” but said the bear’s survival won’t be assured without limits on oil development in the Arctic waters where the bears are found.
(Kansas City Star May 23, 2008)
[This recent exchange on MSNBC sums it up:]
Heidi Harris: Here‘s the ultimate thing; Republicans never get credit for going over to the left. This happens all the time. They try to pander to the left—
Chris Matthews: You think climate change is an ideological issue?
Heidi Harris: Absolutely. Absolutely, I do…but I also don‘t believe that mankind, and my SUV that I‘m going to get in to as soon as I leave here, is polluting the Earth to the point where I‘m going to destroy the Earth.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 Hardball with Chris Matthews

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