Blog About the Weather

Globalwarming awareness2007 includes a new research project — the International Polar Year. This exciting scientific expedition will cost more than $1.5 billion and includes globalwarming research at both the arctic and Antarctic poles.

Climates at the poles impact climate worldwide, as well as the environment for polar bears, penguins, and plankton.

Globalwarming is impacting sea life, including cod fishing, snow crab breeding, and shrimp harvests. Gone unstudied and unchecked, sea temperature change may mean the end of shrimp deals at Red Lobster for Americans in flyover states.

Scientists describe the International Polar Year as a ‘grassroots’ effort for globalwarming awareness, although I’ll be damned if I can name any grassroots with $1.5 billion (a BILLION) in funding. While globalwarming awareness efforts may someday be truly grassroots, the funding on this project is pretty large.

The US is involved in the project, both scientifically and in funding. A kick-off ceremony, sure to be a politician photo op dream, will take place in Washington on Thursday. Maybe hugging a furry polar bear will be the new baby kissing in the new globalwarming awareness paradigm?

CBS News: International Polar Year to start Thursday

…or is that walrii?

In any event, today’s Valentine’s Day story of love focuses on several Californian groups who are suing the US government to protect polar bears and walruses in Alaska from the ravages of globalwarming.

Per the International Herald Tribune:

The groups say the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not fully consider the effects of global warming, such as diminished sea ice, when it wrote regulations allowing for incidental harassment of polar bears and walruses by the oil and gas industry in the Beaufort Sea and nearby coastal areas.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday, February 13, 2007 by globalwarming activists at the Center for Biological Diversity and Pacific Environment. It’s an attempt to force the United States government to greater awareness of globalwarming issues in 2007 and beyond, and protect polar bears from big oil companies.

The activities of big oil companies disrupt the environment for polar bears and walruses, and may disrupt pregnancies and life cycles. Melting sea ice has already impacted the breeding grounds and homelands of these Alaskan and arctic species. Globalwarming has hurt the polar ice caps on which these species depend.

For more info: California groups sue to protect Alaskan species from globalwarming