ARCUS 17th Annual Meeting and Arctic Forum 2005

Protecting Species Threatened by Global Warming under the U.S. Endangered Species Act: Case Study of the Polar Bear

Kassie R. Siegel¹, Brendan R. Cummings^2
1Center for Biological Diversity, P.O. Box 549, Joshua Tree, CA, 92252, USA, Phone (760) 366-2232 , Fax (760) 366-2669, ksiegel@biologicaldiversity.org
²Center for Biological Diversity, P.O. Box 549, Joshua Tree, CA, 92252, USA, Phone (760) 366-2232 , Fax (760) 366-2669, bcummings@biologicaldiversity.org

The United States Endangered Species Act (ESA) is designed to prevent extinction of plant and animal species via significant protection of species listed as "threatened," or "endangered." Under the Act, a species is "threatened" if it is likely to become in danger of extinction within the "foreseeable future." We demonstrate that the polar bear currently meets the definition of a threatened species, primarily due to the current and projected melting of its sea-ice habitat from global warming. The listing of the polar bear under the ESA will provide significant protection to the species, will aid in educating the American public about the consequences of global warming, and should provide additional mechanisms for achieving reductions in United States greenhouse gas emissions. For these reasons, in February, 2005, the Center for Biological Diversity submitted a petition to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to formally list the polar bear as a threatened species under the ESA.