With four days left for Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to save polar bear protections wielding just his John Hancock, this Tuesday the Center for Biological Diversity's Senior Counsel Bill Snape delivered more than 94,000 citizen petitions, along with more than 30 editorials and letters to the editor, to the secretary urging him to save the bears now. The petitions, which have been quickly amassing as more and more Center devotees declare their support for the Arctic bear and its habitat, urge Salazar in no uncertain terms to rescind the special rule passed by the Bush administration that exempts the greatest threats to the species, global warming and oil and gas development, from regulation under the Endangered Species Act. As most of our readers know, Congress gave Salazar the power to easily rescind the polar bear rule -- along with a Bush rule eviscerating the Endangered Species Act -- in March, and he thankfully came through for the Act on April 28. But not for the polar bear. He has until May 9 to rescind the rule; after that, it'll be a lot harder to undo. "Congress and the American people have made clear that they want Secretary Salazar to protect the polar bear," declared Snape. "The polar bear is severely threatened by loss of sea ice to climate change. . . [and] the special rule is a death warrant."
The Obama administration has undone Bush’s rule that weakens the Endangered Species Act — but not the rule harming the warming-threatened polar bear . . . and time is running out.
Amidst all of these changes, the last thing the Arctic ecosystem needs is for us to take advantage of the retreating ice by expanding our commercial fishing further and further north. Commercial fisheries currently don't fish north of the Bering Straight – but they want to. Please urge the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to keep the Arctic closed to commercial fishing »
Along with the immense strain on numerous species – polar bears, walrus, bowhead whales, steller sea lions and North Pacific right whales – the rapid melt of sea ice is creating potential for commercial fisheries in the Arctic Ocean. If allowed, commercial fishing could harm important habitat and directly harm many of these marine mammals.
We only have until February 2 to submit comments to keep the Arctic safe. Sign the petition today. Let the North Pacific Fishery Management Council know how much you care about preserving this pristine ecosystem.
The rapid loss of sea ice will not only bring enormous change to the Arctic marine ecosystem, it will create vast new territory for unprecedented oil and gas drilling and industrial shipping and fishing. We need your help to protect this fragile habitat today.
Amidst all of these changes, the last thing the Arctic ecosystem needs is for us to take advantage of the retreating ice by expanding our commercial fishing further and further north. Commercial fisheries currently don't fish north of the Bering Straight – but they want to. Please urge the North Pacific Fishery Management Council to keep the Arctic closed to commercial fishing »
Along with the immense strain on numerous species – polar bears, walrus, bowhead whales, steller sea lions and North Pacific right whales – the rapid melt of sea ice is creating potential for commercial fisheries in the Arctic Ocean. If allowed, commercial fishing could harm important habitat and directly harm many of these marine mammals.
We only have until February 2 to submit comments to keep the Arctic safe. Sign the petition today. Let the North Pacific Fishery Management Council know how much you care about preserving this pristine ecosystem.
The rapid loss of sea ice will not only bring enormous change to the Arctic marine ecosystem, it will create vast new territory for unprecedented oil and gas drilling and industrial shipping and fishing. We need your help to protect this fragile habitat today.
Taken from Care2.com
When you support The Center For Biological Diversity's work for endangered species and wild places, you give them power in numbers. Growing numbers: 220,000 members and online activists — and counting. Together they have the clout to force the sea changes in policy needed to stop global warming, protect our air and water, and secure a future for plants and animals hovering on the brink of extinction.
The Center for Biological Diversity’s goal is to give longevity to the diversity of plants and animals with whom we share the Earth. Members are the source of longevity — whether you renew your commitment each year, enroll to make a sustaining gift each month, or send a special gift during the year, beyond your membership contribution, to help give their work for endangered species an extra edge. And what easier way to make a difference than by taking a moment to give online — today! Members are their lifeblood, and a lifeline to hundreds of imperiled plants and animals.
Donate to one of my very favorite organizations, at biologicaldiversity.org
