The United States government has proposed listing the polar bear under the Endangered Species List, due to the bears' declining numbers. Many have blamed the bears' trouble on global warming. If polar bears are listed on the ESL, it could have far reaching effects on regulation of green house gases.
"They are able to live and thrive in one of the world's harshest environments. But there's concern that their habitat may literally be melting."
The Endangered Species Act requires federal agencies to ensure that all activities the government approves will not harm listed species or their habitats.
Environmental groups quickly connected the announcement with scientific evidence that climate change is melting the iconic bear's Arctic habitat, causing the animals to go hungry and give birth less often.
"This is a watershed decision," said Kassie Siegel, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity in Joshua Tree, California. "Even the Bush Administration can no longer deny the science of global warming.
Picture from DarrylW4
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