Washington - The United States designated this Wednesday, an area of about 500 000 square kilometers in northern Alaska, protected habitat for polar bears.
According to the U.S. Office of Fisheries and Wildlife, any project that may impact on the livelihood of polar bears in the area of 484 thousand square kilometers (slightly smaller than the size of France) should be subject to scrutiny. They say "the designation identifies geographic areas that are considered essential elements for the conservation of the polar bear, which require special protection" and allow "working with our federal partners to ensure that their activities do not harm the populations of polar bears. "
Now, conservationists, hope that this designation becomes more difficult the oil companies get licenses to operate in the region. According to the American Institute of Geophysics (USGS), the Arctic holds 90 billion barrels of oil and huge gas reserves.
The gradual disappearance of sea ice caused by climate change is the greatest threat to the survival of polar bear, and the oil exploration, tourism and other navigational factors contributing to this threat. Fewer cubs survive, making it difficult to maintain the species. The U.S. government added the polar bear on the protected species list May 15, 2008.
According to the U.S. Office of Fisheries and Wildlife, any project that may impact on the livelihood of polar bears in the area of 484 thousand square kilometers (slightly smaller than the size of France) should be subject to scrutiny. They say "the designation identifies geographic areas that are considered essential elements for the conservation of the polar bear, which require special protection" and allow "working with our federal partners to ensure that their activities do not harm the populations of polar bears. "
Now, conservationists, hope that this designation becomes more difficult the oil companies get licenses to operate in the region. According to the American Institute of Geophysics (USGS), the Arctic holds 90 billion barrels of oil and huge gas reserves.
The gradual disappearance of sea ice caused by climate change is the greatest threat to the survival of polar bear, and the oil exploration, tourism and other navigational factors contributing to this threat. Fewer cubs survive, making it difficult to maintain the species. The U.S. government added the polar bear on the protected species list May 15, 2008.
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