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For Immediate Release
Reaction to USGS Announcement on the Future of the Polar Bear - Statement by Rodger Schlickeisen
The following is a statement by Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife, in reaction to the USGS studies confirming the threats to the polar bear due to global warming.
“The results of the scientific studies released by USGS today provide very sobering information on the fate of the polar bear. The government’s top scientists have painted a bleak picture: there will be no polar bears in Alaska within the next 50 years due to a drastic decline in Arctic sea ice by mid-century.
“We should remember that polar bears are not the only animal that relies on Arctic sea ice. Therefore, we can expect that not only will polar bears be in jeopardy, but so too will the walrus, ivory gull, spectacled eider, and ringed, bearded and harp seal, to name just a few.
“There should be no question now that the polar bear should be listed as a threatened species. The Bush administration has to face the reality that global warming is real, with real and devastating consequences for wildlife and people.”
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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 900,000 members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org.
