Threatened Polar Bears Could Lead To Carbon Dioxide Limits

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing evidence that global warming threatens the survival of the polar bear; if it is declared a threatened species, the U.S. might have to limit carbon dioxide emissions.

1 minute read

February 13, 2006, 6:00 AM PST

By Charles Siegel

"Federal wildlife officials are considering declaring the polar bear a threatened species as a result of growing evidence that rising Arctic temperatures are melting the pack ice that is their home."

"If the polar bear is declared a threatened species, it would be the first mammal deemed in danger of extinction because of global warming. A listing could force the government to adopt curbs on carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas linked to rising temperatures in the atmosphere and ocean."

"'Our petition to list the polar bear as a threatened species is based on the overwhelming evidence that global warming threatens the bear with extinction,' said attorney Andrew Wetzler, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's endangered species project."

FULL STORY: Polar bears to be considered for threatened species list

Thursday, February 9, 2006 in The San Francisco Chronicle

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