polar bears

Two-thirds of polar bear populations will be extinct by mid century. In recent decades the North Pole (Arctic) will lose a very large ice so that no more polar bears that can live on it.

Geological Survey Institute said in a statement the United States (USGS). News.bbc.co.uk site states the U.S. government is funding research to consider whether polar bears deserve inclusion in the national list of endangered animals under the Endangered Species Act. Final decision about this will be issued in January 2008.

Species of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) is now classified as highly susceptible animals and internationally have entered the Red List of Threatened Animals. Experts also estimate 40 percent of the habitat of polar bears will disappear by 2050.

Last August scientists Snow and Ice Data Center U.S. National declare Arctic summer ice is currently 30 percent below average during this time. The institute predicts 2007 is the lowest in the thickness of ice in the Arctic for thousands of years.

USGS report was released as the U.S. government negotiated document the Sydney Declaration on climate change at a meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) in Australia last week. The negotiations were aimed at reducing the growth of harmful gas emissions into the atmosphere on a voluntary basis. (E4)