Federal Judge Forces Action On President Bush’s Interior Department Regarding Polar Bears And Global Warming

The Bush Administration has dragged its heels so long with the matter over saving the polar bears that a federal judge has been forced to press the Interior Department to make a decision.

A federal judge has ordered the Interior Department to decide within 16 days whether polar bears should be listed as a threatened species because of global warming.

U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken agreed with conservation groups that the department missed a Jan. 9 deadline for a decision. She rejected a government request for a further delay and ordered it to act by May 15.

“Defendants have been in violation of the law requiring them to publish the listing determination for nearly 120 days,” the judge, based in Oakland, Calif., wrote in a decision issued late Monday. “Other than the general complexity of finalizing the rule, Defendants offer no specific facts that would justify the delay, much less further delay.”

Allowing more time would violate the Endangered Species Act and congressional intent that time was of the essence in listing threatened species, Wilken wrote.

The ruling is a victory for conservation groups that claim the Bush administration has delayed a polar bear decision to avoid addressing global warming and to avoid roadblocks to development such as the transfer of offshore petroleum leases in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska’s northwest coast to oil company bidders.

I say in November that we put Bush and Company, and all their allies, on the endangered list in government.

Technorati Tags: PolarBears, PresidentBush, InteriorDepartment,

Monitoring Bears In Maine, And Protecting Them Everywhere

 

There have been a few loves that never have faded in my 40-plus years, bears being one of them.  Whether it is preserving their area for feeding in the west, or preventing the extinction of the polar bears due to global warming, my first reaction is always what is in the best interest of the bears.  They were here first, and need us to be their advocates.

When I read of a study in Maine where collared bears were examined I was curious about the findings.  The pictures of how entry was made to the bear cave is remarkable and worth the time of my readers.  But when I saw the pictures of the mother bear and her cubs I again feel so strongly that we must do right by them as a species.  I suspect my readers will too.   It is imperative that we strive to insure their long-term survival, and control our ever-consuming lust for the habitat area that is rightfully theirs.

I find it galling to read of people in the western states who find it surprising that bears might be foraging for food in the trash bins of humans……on land that once was the feeding grounds for the wild bear.  I find it troubling that too many in Washington, D.C. fail to understand that the environmental policies of our country must factor in when considering if the polar bear should be placed on the extinction list.

These large wonderful creatures, whether they are brown, black, or white, need our attention.   We have to do everything we can to insure that they remain a part of our future, not because they are cute….but because it is the moral and proper thing to do.

 

 

Technorati Tags: Bears, Maine, BearMonitoring,

Global Warming Impacting The Grizzly Bear

Every aspect of our world is being affected and damaged by global warming.  Only those who are partisan water boys for the GOP fail to understand the plight of the world.  Many of those Republican interests are centered on money, and getting more of it, even though the environment suffers as a result. 

For the rest of us, including the Democratic Congress, the signs all around prove global warming is a dangerous fact.  We understand the science.  And it is our duty to work and stop the damage, and to stop the GOP from doing yet more harm.

I firmly believe that is our duty to speak and act for those who have no voice.  That has been a reason for my Democratic leanings for many decades.  The latest news about the grizzly bear, and the hardship they face as a result of global warming, is such an example of who I speak for, and why.

One of the principal food sources for the grizzly in the western states is the white bark pine.  But global warming is causing an explosion of the pine beetle, which then destroys the trees.  With only 1,300 grizzly bears (!!) in the lower 48 United States (most located around Yellowstone) one can begin to understand why there is much concern about global warming, and the impact on these wonderful animals.  And then the western landowners wonder why the bears search for other food supplies……

But the grizzly bear faces not only global warming, but also Republicans, in their fight for survival.  The Bush Administration, at the urging of special interests, has removed the grizzly from the Endangered Species List, and as a result once again making its habitat fair game for oil drilling, development and logging.  The Democratic Congress MUST put the brakes on the reckless and heartless actions that are destroying the grizzly bear population.  While some are fighting the Bush Administration action in court, I suggest that a robust effort by the Democrats in Congress would be the better avenue.  The American public is behind the grizzly bear.  It is time for the Democrats to lead on this issue.

Technorati Tags: GrizzlyBear, GlobalWarming, EndangeredSpeciesList

Bear Cub Has Blog Too!

Every heart around the globe has been captured with the rolly-polly lovable puff of fur and energy that we call Knut, the baby polar bear in Germany.  And like everyone else he has a blog!

While the writing and audio is in German one needs only a glimpse of the bear cub to understand the magic.  ENJOY!!

Technorati Tags: Knut, PolarBear, Germany

Polar Bears And The Bush Administration

This past week there was a political cartoon that perhaps many of my readers saw in their newspaper.  A polar bear is unwrapping a Christmas present of summer shorts as he drifts on a shrinking piece of ice.

Last week the Bush Administration finally decided that it was time to be somewhat pro-active with polar bears; just one species that is suffering due to global warming.  The thinning ice is a direct result of what man is doing to our planet, but the response from the federal government at best has been stodgy and lethargic.

Interior Secretary Kempthorne has proposed that the giant white polar bears be listed on the endangered species list.  I had mixed feelings about that news.  I was pleased that finally there was some movement on this matter that might assist the bears.  But I was also upset that we have  *****-up the planet to the point that these wonderful creatures are soon to be on a list made up of animals that might become extinct. 

The fact that Bush and Company can respond to the dire circumstances of the melting ice by putting animals on an endangered list, but feel no need to start a much needed federal program to alter the way we negatively impact the planet and slow down global warming is a sign that this Administration does not know how to govern.  Worse, it proves they just do not care.

Those of us who have signed petitions and written letters on behalf of the polar bears must stay vigilant as the process to finalize the bears being added to the endangered species list is still a year way. 

In theory once on the endangered list all federal agencies would need to abide by strict guidelines so as not to place the animals in further jeopardy.  But given the love affair Bush and Company have with the oil and gas interests I think there will be plenty of reason for animal lovers to pay close attention to the workings of their government.  In other words, I do not trust George Bush.  Nor should you.

Even as the Interior Secretary was citing the need for the polar bears to be protected, he was speaking for the gas and oil companies and saying they do not harm the environment, or impact the polar bears. 

Democrats must stand up to the Bush White House and demand the start of a long term plan to limit ‘greenhouse gases’, since there is no desire among those who rape the planet for profits to stop their practices.  An electorate that wanted change has given Democrats a chance to lead in the Congress.   The environment should be one of the issues that get public attention in the first 100 days.

Technorati Tags: PolarBear, InteriorSecretaryKempthorne, Bush, GlobalWarming, Congress, Democrats