Beam Me to Planet Gore !
Posted on 07/25/2008 6:14:22 PM PDT by Libloather
Scientists Debate Moving Polar Bears to Antarctica as Arctic Melts
July 24, 2008
Scientists are obviously reaching a point of true desperation. While the world still debates whether climate change is even real (eye roll), the scientific community is coming back to an idea that was once considered wrongheaded and dangerous: moving species to new areas of the world as their natural habitats become inhabitable. First up: moving the polar bears to the other side of the globe.
From Wired:
Caught between climate change and human pressure, species are going extinct 100 times faster than at any point in human history.
And some scientists say that figure is too conservative. The real extinction rate, they say, is a full 1,000 times higher than normal. The last time such annihilation took place was during the time of the dinosaurs. And though many conservationists say that saving species by transplanting them is foolish, others say there’s no choice.
“They want the world to be what it was before. But it’s not going to happen,” said Australian ecologist Hugh Possingham, author of an assisted-colonization article published Thursday in Science (citation page).
This does indeed seem like a very bad idea. Who knows what the effects could be of moving species so far away from their natural habitats? After all, such a move will affect the entire global ecosystem. The animal kingdom would have to figure out a new hierarchy. The consequences would be massive. It’s truly frightening to imagine that we are nearly to the point of needing a modern-day Noah’s Ark.
Why can't they just swim there? On the other hand, if the ice is melting on the North Pole, why wouldn't it be melting on the South Pole? It is GLOBAL warming - no? (Sorry about that. Sometimes my common sense kicks in...)
If they think polar bears are tough on seals, wait til they see what they can do to a flock of penguins!
Hmmm...I hope the other scientists encamped at the So. Pole haven’t read the story about the two Russian guards at a Siberian mine that were eaten by black bears this week.
Sometimes things are better left alone...
If we figure out some good recipes for polar bear meat, they will never go extinct.
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Great idea! Big problem of course, is food. I suggest we kill two birds with one stone and feed them raw, living liberals. PETA folks in particular ought to volunteer in droves -- after all, this would be nothing but Ethical Treatment of (displaced) Animals...
...and it helps rid the world of nasty, consuming, humans.
And sets an example for the rest of us.
*\;-)
Since the vast majority of bears do not /ever/ touch the permanent north polar ice pack, taking them to Antarctica would put them in a far worse environment, disrupting their natural cycle, and ultimately kill the species.
But of course, to liberals, it is the thought that counts. So in the interest of serving liberal ideology, and striking a blow against King Meat!, I advocate putting polar bears in walk in freezers at meat packing warehouses, large commercial restaurant chains, Walmart, and anywhere else that doesn't follow the proper political thought of the day!
Why not just move them to the more liberal cities like San Francisco and New York? I’m sure they’ll find more plentiful food sources than at the South Pole.
There is one thing these “scientists” forget. The adaption of the species, any species, to change.
This is pure hype.
The bears may end up living at both extremes, but it is these “scientists” who are bi-polar...
Has you nevah tasted Cajun Bayou Polah Beah Jumbalya Stew? Ooooooheeeeee! That's good eatin!
Antarctica has become a scientific outpost for all sorts of studies. I am studying geology and have a chance to take a 6 week trip down there. I would never go if there were polar bears. I am told the biggest threat is some penguins stealing your food and hanging around the snowmobiles for warmth.
Help me Al, I'm confused...
“wait til they see what they can do to a flock of penguins!”
Looks to me like the “scientists” hate penguins.
The bears are just going to have to get used to feathers.
I’ll wait for the polar bear vs. orca video.
Polar bears have lasted through other cycles of “global warming” over 10s of millions of years. They are still here.
If the scientists are so worried, rather than move the bears, why not offer up themselves for a survival snack for the polar bears? Maybe the Gorester could start a trend???
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