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Warming Is Polar Bears' Top Killer, Host Nations Agree

US, Russia, Norway, Denmark and Canada sign joint statement on bear population

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 19, 2009 2:50 PM CDT

(Newser) – Five nations whose land is home to polar bears signed a joint statement today declaring global warming to be the biggest threat to the animals, AFP reports. Canada, Denmark/Greenland, Norway, Russia, and the US agree that “long-term conservation of polar bears depends upon successful mitigation of climate change,” the statement said.

It is the first joint declaration on polar bears since 1973, in which the group endorsed bans on hunting the animals. The current statement is not legally binding, but is taken as a good sign ahead of multinational talks scheduled for December, where members will try to craft a new global agreement on climate change to replace the Kyoto protocol.

A polar bear mother and her two cubs in Wapusk National Park on the shore of Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba, are seen in this 2007 file photo.
A polar bear mother and her two cubs in Wapusk National Park on the shore of Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba, are seen in this 2007 file photo.   (The Canadian Press)
Ken Pedersen, expedition leader at the Norwegian Troll Research Station in Antarctica, briefs a group of visiting environment ministers and other international representatives, Feb. 23, 2009.
Ken Pedersen, expedition leader at the Norwegian Troll Research Station in Antarctica, briefs a group of visiting environment ministers and other international representatives, Feb. 23, 2009.   (AP Photo)
A male polar bear breaks the ice on top of the pond in the Bear Den, during a snow storm at the Bronx Zoo, Feb. 3, 2009.
A male polar bear breaks the ice on top of the pond in the "Bear Den," during a snow storm at the Bronx Zoo, Feb. 3, 2009.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 15 comments
Rob
Mar 21, 2009 12:53 PM CDT
I was referring to you and I never begin the descent into insults although I am willing to wrestle with you are anyone else that starts.
riffran
Mar 21, 2009 12:07 PM CDT
if your referring to my last comment...I pretty much meant, that unlike others, you disagreed or partially disagreed whithout resorting to insults.....which makes it a discussion-vs-the usual left /right argument...or if it was pale you were reffering to...then I don't know...lol
riffran
Mar 21, 2009 4:53 AM CDT
Hey I'm all for civility in discourse, even though I can be a bit over reactive at times

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