Unbearable
May 15th, 2008 | by Fran | Published in Endangered Species | 5 Comments
This week the polar bear was designated as a species threatened with extinction, making the arctic bear the first creature added to the endangered species list, primarily because of global warming. A U.S. District Court in Oakland, CA, forced the Bush administration by imposing a May 15 deadline because it was supposed to have been done by January 8.
They did not have time to address the bear’s needs, but did find time on Feb 6 to open offshore oil fields to exploratory drilling in prime polar bear habitat.
The proposal to include polar bears on the endangered species list came from interior Secretary Kempthorne with an announcement that there was “sufficient scientific evidence of the bear’s melting habitat” to officially propose polar bears be put on the list of species threatened with extinction.
In classic Bush admin form, the proposal does NOT include designating critical habitat. It does not include a scientific analysis of the causes of climate change wither. Arctic sea ice last summer retreated to record levels, half the climate modelers did not think would happen until 2050. U.S. Geological Survey released a 9 volume survey saying 2/3rds of the bears habitat would be gone by 2050.
No ice • no hunting • no food •thin bears • lowered reproductive rate • weak cubs that don’t survive
This beautiful species is at risk because of Human irresponsibility.
Our country has refused to get onboard with the global community to address global Warming and is one of the biggest consumers & polluters. Everything get’s put off, actions taken are things like we will deal with getting off foreign oil sometime later, we will address fuel efficiency in a decade, maybe.
Too little • Much too late
Will we let this happen under our watch?
Big Fella, thanks for the link and the smile. There are definitely some upsides to going...
May 15th, 2008at 9:31 pm(#)
Francesca..it breaks my heart to think any species will disappear during my lifetime. Especially the top of the foodchain animals like the polar bear.
I am so frustrated that there really is nothing I can do about it… I have signed every fucking petition, called my congress critters about 50 times and still..its out of my hands.
That makes me despair and feel horrible. I cry over this type of issue.
Getting Bush out of office is the only chance they all have…
Dusterellas last blog post..Feds refile indictment against Bonds…
May 15th, 2008at 9:50 pm(#)
This is just eating me alive. You had to post on it didn’t you!..just jerking your chain on that..but still..
I rescue cats and dogs. My spouse and I forego comfort items so that we can feed and provide healthcare for a shitload of abandoned cats and abused dogs since we are on fixed incomes so low you would shit if I told you.
That I can do nothing about this just breaks my fucking heart. I am not used to being in this position where i JUST FUCKING STAND BY AND WATCH.
Sorry for the caps.
May 15th, 2008at 11:43 pm(#)
What is more the shame is that beautiful animals like the polar bear are moving towards extinction while ugly, destructive humans proliferate like rabbits.
Nature made a big mistake when it spawned humans.
DavidG.s last blog post..What Bush Meant To Say To The Knesset!
May 15th, 2008at 11:45 pm(#)
I hear ya. The rule for exploring with things is *don’t lose any of the parts*- I interpret that to include plant & animal species. We are temporary groundskeepers & visitors on this planet. Far as I know, this is the only planet that provides for us without specialized equipment– although I am willing to send Bush to Mars to see if it is viable- if that turns out to be faulty intelligence– oh well.
But what is the word– ethnocentricity- where humans think they are superior and are not respectful to the degree of taking out a species.
It does not get more greedy, uncaring & idiotic to behave in such a manner. We co-exist in the web of life- interconnected- you pull one part of the web, it effects the whole thing.
It does feel like we can’t do anything about it…. but we can. Any chance we get to reduce our own carbon footprint does have an effect. That and getting some serious regime change.
Heck-of-a-legacy George
frans last blog post..Unbearable
May 17th, 2008at 1:32 am(#)
correction! The word I was looking for is:
anthropocentric
considering human beings and their existence as the most important and central fact in the universe
Anthropocentricity drove the polar bears into being an endangered species.
Frans last blog post..Unbearable