Conservation groups sue to protect polar bears

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/7288809p-7200555c.html

By DAN JOLING
The Associated Press

Published: December 15, 2005
Last Modified: December 15, 2005 at 01:45 PM


Three conservation groups sued the federal government today seeking to protect polar bears from extinction because of disappearing Arctic sea ice.


The groups blame global warming and sued in federal District Court in San Francisco to protect polar bears under the Endangered Species Act.

The lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, the Natural Resources Defense Council and Greenpeace claims extensive scientific evidence shows sea ice is melting due to global warming.

"Global warming and rising temperatures in the Arctic jeopardize the polar bear's very existence," said Melanie Duchin, a climate campaigner with Greenpeace. "Polar bears cannot survive without sea ice. Polar bears could disappear in our lifetime if we don't take action."...


CONSERVATIONISTS FILE LAWSUIT TO PROTECT POLAR BEAR UNDER ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/press/polarbear12-15-05.html

Global Warming, Melting Ice Threaten Bear with Extinction

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 15, 2005) – Three leading conservation groups filed a lawsuit under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) today, to protect the world’s polar bears from extinction as a result of the disappearing Arctic sea ice that they depend on for hunting, mating and travel. The lawsuit points to extensive scientific evidence showing that the unprecedented polar meltdown is the result of global warming.

The lawsuit was filed in federal district court in San Francisco, one day after scientists released a study documenting that polar bears are drowning as a result of record low sea ice levels off the coast of Alaska. The groups include the Center for Biological Diversity, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Greenpeace.

On Wednesday, scientists with the U.S. Minerals Management Service released a report documenting the deaths of four polar bears found drowned in September 2004, when the sea ice had retreated a record 160 miles north of the northern coast of Alaska. The researchers said that more polar bears may have drowned that have not been found.

“Global warming and rising temperatures in the Arctic jeopardize the polar bear’s very existence,” said Melanie Duchin, a climate campaigner with Greenpeace. “Polar bears cannot survive without sea ice, polar bears could disappear in our lifetime if we don’t take action.”...

...I thought is said, "Conservative Groups sue to protect polar bears" and was like, "WTF? :wtf: Maybe it's for the Coke marketing campaign?"

Oops.:blush: :hide:

to be gone so fast we won't see it coming otherwise.

in one of Thurs Seattle papers (I'm not sure which one, I glanced at a newpaper machine while walking by. probably the PI I bet). When I initially read about their plight I was sure they wouldn't get a fraction of the attention they deservem but Seattle has made me proud again, temporarily.

They do great work.