Protecting Polar Bears

The Obama administration recently designated more than 200,000 miles in Alaska as protected ground for polar bears. This means that federal law prohibits agencies from taking any actions that will interfere with polar bear habitats.

"As we move forward with a comprehensive energy and climate strategy, we will continue to work to protect the polar bear and its fragile environment," said Assistant Interior Secretary Tom Strickland.

The total area is about 200,541 square miles and 93% of it is sea ice. Melting of Arctic sea ice is one of the most significant results of global warming and poses a significant threat to the survival of polar bears.

While environmental groups are hailing the effort, oil and gas companies hoping to drill off the Alaska Coast will now have to come up with alternative plans if these locations fall within the area designated for critical habitat. Designation of the area as a critical habitat does not specifically prohibit drilling in the same area but companies would have to prove that they are not interfering in any way with the polar bear's environment.

It is ironic to note that this action came one day after the state of Alaska filed a new complaint in its ongoing effort to remove polar bears from the list of threatened species.