Reader comments
Deadline given on polar bears

Shackleton | 6:35 a.m. April 30, 2008

Scott L. Schliebe of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported to the NOAA:
"Today, polar bear populations are facing threats previously unprecedented during recorded history in the Arctic."
Google a few key words, then screen for the true scientists, rather than pundits.
Many posts will be made disputing this, from people who manifestly refuse to accept anything that might suggest that there is any data to support anthropogenic global warming. But if we are going to deal with the world, we have to start with what is, not what we wish it to be. And recognizing what is, means critically looking at the span of data, ALL the data, not just cherry-picked points that support one position or another.

samhill | 11:18 a.m. April 30, 2008

Kassie Siegel of the Center for Biological Diversity, the lead author of the petition submitted in 2005, said, "The science is perfectly clear. There's no dispute. The polar bear is an endangered species."

Utter nonsense.

Every time I see some spouting statements about the indisputable nature of "the science" of global warming and all its reputed implications, I know that the person speaking is no true scientist. Such talk is nothing more than fanatical blather.

Science is all about disputation and skepticism. Free inquiry and discovery is its purpose. The increasingly totalitarian tone of emotion-driven environmentalists is one of the more glaring reasons to actually suspect the "science" of "global warming" rather than be persuaded by it.

Sam'sHill | 2:17 p.m. April 30, 2008

samhill, I can't speak for Ms Siegel, who represents a nongovernmental conservation group; but when the scientists of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife or the NOAA speak up, they are the voice of scientific agencies whose bread and butter is wildlife management and climatology. I listen to them. Everyone should use their brain to see if what is being said is confirmed by data, but are you saying you doubt the veracity of people like Mr. Schliebe? And if so, on what grounds?

Comments continue below

Thinkin' Man | 2:30 p.m. April 30, 2008

A few months ago, NASA published a report that lays blame on Arctic warming of the past 25 years on a reversal of ocean circulation. They specifically say this is not due to global atmospheric changes. This is one of many expert reports that casts doubt on global warming.

The science is far from "settled" when climate scientists keep publishing data that raises questions and shows that uncertainty is significant.

Otay | 3:41 p.m. April 30, 2008

The polar ice is melting. Polar bears are in danger of extinction. Man is the cause. End of discussion.

Skeptic | 4:30 p.m. April 30, 2008

If the warming of the earth is causing polar bears to go extinct, how did they survive the Midieval Climate Optimum, when the earth was far warmer that it is today?

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