Pacific Spirit Marine Institute
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Do not mention a word about climate change, sea ice or polar bears! That is, of course, if you are a biologist or other employee of the US Interior Departments Fish and Wildlife Service.
On March 2, a travel requirement memo was issued warning biologists and other employees not to mention these apparently ‘tricky’ subjects while traveling abroad.
Fish and Wildlife Service Officials say the ‘polar bear memos’ as they have become known as, are consistent with a longstanding policy to ensure a coherent position in foreign negotiations and to prevent employees from discussing topics not on event agendas. (Say that 3 times fast!)
In January the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held hearings on political interference with government climate-change scientists. The Union of Concerned Scientists, and advocacy group, cited a survey showing 500 scientists from 9 agencies said they had been barred from publishing new study results related to climate change.
Representatives Brad Miller, (D N.C.) and Bart Gordon, (D Tenn.) requested more information from interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne. Miller and Gordon wrote that the memos appear to be the latest effort by the Bush administration to block a full and free discussion of issues relating to climate change by the scientific community.
Just one of the perils polar bears are facing is an ever-shrinking habitat due to melting ice. Ice on the Hudson Bay is melting an average of 3 weeks earlier than in the mid-70’s.
These unique bears fast for 6 to 8 months during hibernation and rely on winter hunting for survival. Longer periods without ice during the Arctic summer is leaving polar bears stranded onshore longer, cutting down on their fat reserves. This is affecting reproduction and milk production. There is already a documented 15 percent drop in birth rates.
Did you get the memo?
Labels: After the Downing, Memo, Polar Bear, Polar Bear Memo, Speak no Evil
© 2009, Pacific Spirit Marine Institute.
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