'Ultimate survivor's' plight takes center stage in warming debate

The US proposed designation of the polar bear as a threatened species has provided climate campaigns with a potent symbol.
In a 154-page document, the Bush administration explained that polar bears' ice habitat – used as platforms for hunting, mating and resting – could vanish within half a century.

"Polar bears are one of nature's ultimate survivors," Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne told reporters. "They're able to live and thrive in one of the world's harshest environments, but there's concern that their habitat may literally be melting away."

The administration's decision moves the polar bear a step closer to an unprecedented level of protection under the 33-year-old endangered species law. If Interior finalizes the listing a year from now, it could have significant implications for new energy projects in the bears' Alaska habitat and across the country.

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Story on CICERO: http://www.cicero.uio.no/webnews.asp?id=10761&lang=en

Posted by Elise Chodat,
Bibliographic Systems Librarian,
Departmental Library, INAC