gagquin Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 US predicts polar bear meltdown Two-thirds of the world's polar bears will be gone by the middle of the century, says a US government agency. The US Geological Survey (USGS) says parts of the Arctic are losing summer ice so fast that no bears will be able to live there within several decades. Scientists believe Arctic ice will hit a record low this year. The US government commissioned the study to assess whether polar bears should be protected under the national Endangered Species Act. Its decision is due in January 2008. The species (Ursus maritimus) is classified as Vulnerable to extinction on the internationally acknowledged Red List of Threatened Species. Rapid response The USGS surveyed evidence on the decline of Arctic summer ice, which has accelerated in the last decade, and the projections of climate models. Based on this, they concluded that some areas where polar bears now roam, such as the Barents Sea north of Norway and Russia, would be unable to support the animals at all by the middle of the century. The bears might persist in other regions; but about 40% of the summer habitat will be gone by 2050, and with it, two-thirds of the current population, the USGS concludes. Last month, scientists at the US National Snow and Ice Data Center said Arctic summer ice was almost 30% below the long-term average, and predicted 2007 would show the lowest ice cover on record. Polar bears use ice as a hunting base. "The grim news about polar bears and sea ice decline is horrifying, but it is a call to action, not despair," said Kassie Siegel of the Center for Biological Diversity. "Our hope lies in a rapid response, including both deep and immediate carbon dioxide reductions and a full-court press on other greenhouse pollutants." The Center has petitioned the US to list the polar bear as an endangered species, which would oblige the government to protect it. Campaigners believe this would mean curbing greenhouse gas emissions. As the USGS report came out, the US administration was negotiating the "Sydney Declaration", a document on climate change, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum in Australia. The deal aims to reduce the rate of growth of greenhouse gas emissions on a voluntary basis. BBC NEWS:B B C NewsPublished: 2007/09/10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeus_Hunt Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 Global Warming :) I am happy that BBC shows more on these. I find other channels showing these like a 30 sec quick news ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearoninternet Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 Actually; i dont give a @#$ about polarbears or ice (except for drinks).I never visit the arctic.If i wonna see a polarbear in rl, i visit a zoo.As a matter of fact; i dont believe this global warming hype or co2 bull.Its just new economy & taxraising crap, based on fear of something we dont understand.And if its all true afterall, we have a lot more to worry about than those polarbears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeus_Hunt Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 Actually; i dont give a @#$ about polarbears or ice (except for drinks).I never visit the arctic.If i wonna see a polarbear in rl, i visit a zoo.As a matter of fact; i dont believe this global warming hype or co2 bull.Its just new economy & taxraising crap, based on fear of something we dont understand.We r in this position just bcoz of these statements.And if its all true afterall, we have a lot more to worry about than those polarbears.Have u heard of "An Inconvenient Truth" - IMDB ReviewWhat A Way To Go Life At The End Of EmpireZeitgeist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dock98 Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 Actually; i dont give a @#$ about polarbears or ice (except for drinks).I never visit the arctic.If i wonna see a polarbear in rl, i visit a zoo.As a matter of fact; i dont believe this global warming hype or co2 bull.Its just new economy & taxraising crap, based on fear of something we dont understand.And if its all true afterall, we have a lot more to worry about than those polarbears.you beat meto the punch z, i agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearoninternet Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 [quote name=Zeus_Hunt' We r in this position just bcoz of these statements.nobody is sure of thatHave u heard of "An Inconvenient Truth" so you believe in politics?you better google on mr gore a little bit more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeus_Hunt Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 so you believe in politics?you better google on mr gore a little bit moreI dont care that Gore gave that presentation. I dont care if Gore believed in what he spoke.That presentation was not compiled by Gore.It was compiled by scientists and no one can refute the data shown in the film. Its the data thats scary. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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