Analysis of Polar Bear Protection Legislation

• Main Authors: Thompson, Ryan, Meyer, William, Heitzinger, Brad
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato 2007
• Subjects: Environmental Law; Arctic; Global warming
• Online Access: https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2007/oral-session-10/3

On February 16, 2005, the Center for Biological Diversity filed a scientific petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. This classification is in result of increasingly rapid destruction of arctic habitat. Growing concern among the scientific community, that global warming is the main culprit in destruction of arctic habitats. Direct correlations established during recent environmental studies have yielded findings of polar bear starvation and decreased offspring birth. The increasing polar temperatures have directly impacting the reduction of polar bear habitat consisting of glacial ice. Current legislation in effect to properly protect these areas and this species has been found lacking. This project will research current laws and determine what amendments are needed, to curtail the impact on the polar bears. Recommended new legal actions consisting of glacial ice habitat protection and environmental regulations must be pursued.