Most polar bears could be gone by 2050

Reuters ^ | 09/07/2007

[Responsibility2nd]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two-thirds of the world's current polar bear population could be gone by midcentury if predictions of melting sea ice hold true, the U.S. Geological Survey reported on Friday.

The fate of polar bears might be even more imperiled than that estimate, because sea ice in the Arctic might be vanishing faster than the available computer models predict, the geological survey said in a report aimed at determining whether the arctic bear should be classified as a threatened species.

"Projected changes in future sea ice conditions, if realized, will result in loss of approximately two-thirds of the world's current polar bear population by the mid 21st century," the report's executive summary said.

"Because the observed trajectory of Arctic sea ice decline appears to be underestimated by currently available models, this assessment of future polar bear status may be conservative."

In January, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, noting polar bears depended on sea ice as a platform to hunt seals. Projected sea ice loss due to global climate change was believed to jeopardize the bears' range.

[Responsibility2nd]

I'm not worried about losing no polar bears.

Looter Guy to the rescue!!!!

[SevenofNine]

HOW CUTE Looter guy helping out Polar bear that sweet of him

[steveo]

drowning while on icebergs!

[Candor7]

Two-thirds of the world's current polar bear population could be gone by midcentury if predictions of melting sea ice hold true, the U.S. Geological Survey reported on Friday. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This is based on the assumption that polar bears have to feed on seals on the ice.

If you know anything about polar bears you would know that they will simply switch over to fish, especially salmon, and carrion.

This is just so much moonbat foolishness.

[43north]

Polar bears eat seals after pulling them through little holes in the ice. Then they poop all over the ice. Their poop is dark which absorbs more heat from the sparse sunlight and this contributes to the ice melting.

Serves them right.

[andyandval]

[Clint N. Suhks]

Gorebull Whining Update!

[andyandval]

[Natural Law]

Just like saber tooth tigers and tyrannosaurus rex, I’m not going to miss them.

[pogo101]

My headline, based on MY predictions:

Al-Reuters could be gone by 2015

[andyandval]

This is BS!

According to ABCNews they can swim.

[andyandval]

This is BS!

According to ABCNews they can swim.

[unkus]

I thought these idiots believed in “Survival of the fittest”.

[jazusamo]

Possible victim of heat stroke.

[pepsionice]

Bears are bears...they survive. If you go around shooting all of them...thats the only real way to cut down on the population. So this entire story sounds bogus to me. The worst case scenario is that the bears move south....into Maine and Washington state...and start eating local Blue-state members....which might be upsetting.

[Candor7]

You are 100% correct. If polar bears were so un- omnivorous, they would have gone the way of the dinosaurs by now.

[Man50D]

The fate of polar bears might be even more imperiled than that estimate, because sea ice in the Arctic might be vanishing faster than the available computer models predict, the geological survey said in a report aimed at determining whether the arctic bear should be classified as a threatened species.

Tell that to British Yachtsman Adrian Flanagan who is attempting to prove Global Warming is melting the ice in the Arctic by sailing his yacht through the Arctic. The only problem is he is now trapped by ice and has been warned about Polar Bears.

British Yachtsman who Counted on Global Warming to Cross Arctic Now Trapped by Ice

[Responsibility2nd]

Just doing my part to piss off enviro-nuts...

[AlexW]

Gee, I wonder how they lived through the medieval warm period.

[Joe 6-pack]

Looter guy has become an advocate for the polar beers...