Should Polar Bears be listed as an endangered species?

Question

Summer sea ice in Alaska last year shrunk to about 1.65 million square miles last year, the lowest level in 38 years of satellite record-keeping and nearly 40 percent less ice than the long-term average between 1979 and 2000. Some climate models have predicted the Arctic will be free of summer sea ice by 2030. A U.S. Geological Survey study predicted polar bears in Alaska could be wiped out by 2050.

http://green.yahoo.com/news/ap/20080310/ap_on_re_us/polar_bears.html

Answer 1

There is very specific criteria to adding animals to the endangered species list, I don't think the polar bears have reached that point.  Even if they were listed what good would that do.  It was not easy to stop the production of DDT when we found it was making the eggs of bald eagles fragile.  Think of all the things we need to do to stop global warming.  I expect some great disaster before people wake up to the harm global warming can do.  We can not even convince everyone GW is real.

Answer 2

Here is a quote from "The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service estimates that the polar bear population is currently at 20,000 to 25,000 bears, up from as low as 5,000-10,000 bears in the 1950s and 1960s.  A 2002 U.S. Geological Survey of wildlife in the Arctic Refuge Coastal Plain noted that the polar bear populations “may now be near historic highs.”

Also.....most of the ice that disappeared the last few years returned this winter.  Old saying..".If you don't like the weather just wait".

SO I guess my answer is no to endangered status.

The only reason people want it is to use it as a tool to restrict land use all over the north.

Answer 3

Its so sad, these beautiful animals could loose the homes and their lives all within this few decades. I wish the bureaucrats would get a move on, and include the polar bears on the list of endangered species. Great article and lovely photo. I truly hope they will be around for our children to see.

Answer 4

If you dont list them in the endangered species list now  u can be sure u will find them listed in the extinct species list in a decade .

with regards

http://www.chocolatesavy.com

Answer 5

Of course!  If we don't do it now, who will?  If we don't take action, people might never take action.  Then we'd lose such an interesting and magnificent animal.

Answer 6

Polar bears aren't the only endangered species there.  The whole environment is in danger.  I saw 2 photos of the same area taken 10 years apart.  The first showed snow & ice.  The second showed green grass.  We are killing & raping this beatiful planet.  Thank God for space exploration!  Good Luck & Blessings

Answer 7

totally yes. if the ice caps melts where will they live on.

Answer 8

Yes, I think that polar bears should be listed as an endangered species. They're being killed every day from oil spills, melting iceburgs, shorter seasons to be able to go on sea ice, mother's milk being poisoned, and being hunted.

Though many say that they are just vulnerable, I think that their population could grow much shorter over the years. Just look at how much their populations have decreased already.. =(

What are your views on this issue?

Answer 9

Most defiantly! Polar Bears could be extinct in the next fifty years if people don't stop driving their huge gas guzzlers around!