Patricia Cox
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 - 8:30-9:00
Thousands of species have become extinct over past millennia due to natural climate changes brought about by geologic events. Today, organisms are becoming extinct at an alarming rate due to destruction of critical habitat caused by past and present human disturbances. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation" (Section 2). The bald eagle and Eggert’s sunflower are among the 99 percent of listed species saved from extinction since the ESA was enacted. In 2007, the polar bear was proposed to be listed as Threatened based on scientific evidence of loss of sea ice habitat, continued losses projected into the foreseeable future, and consequences to polar bear populations. As a result, the proposal has given environmentalist an avenue to use Section 7 of the ESA to force government in to action against GHG emissions. Even though the polar bears live in the Arctic region, any federal agency in any part of the country whose actions would contribute to emissions from industrial or commercial activities would be required to consult with FWS before a permit is granted. FWS has yet to rule on the threatened status of the polar bear. If the proposal is left as written, the Service will be swamped with an onslaught of lawsuits using global climate change to challenge past and present decisions. Will conservation efforts for other rare elements be impacted by the federal listing of the polar bear?
Keywords: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE, GHG (GREENHOUSE GASES), ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT