The Hunt for a Clear Picture of Polar Bears’ Future – are numbers actually increasing

Wall Street Journal – Just how endangered is the polar bear? It depends on whom you ask. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — as well as many polar-bear biologists — say that global warming is destroying so much of the bears’ icy habitat that the species could be nearly wiped out in the next 100 years. The U.S. is pushing to ban global trade in polar bears at an international meeting in March. Then there is Solomon Awa, a resident of Iqaluit in Canada’s Arctic northeast, who like many Inuit is seeing more polar bears than ever when he goes hunting. “I’ve seen polar bears are not declining,” says Mr. Awa. “Actually, there are increasing numbers.” The warring viewpoints highlight how divided the once tight-knit community of polar-bear experts has become as global warming focuses international attention and money on the plight of the bears. Scientists, governments and Inuit communities are feuding over whether polar-bear numbers are increasing or decreasing, whether they are in danger of extinction and, if they are, what to do about it. Read Article

Ed – If the Inuit’s are correct and numbers are actually rising do you think those scientific research grants are going to be so forthcoming?

Tags: Arctic & Antarctica, climate, corruption