Richard Hendricks — Sep 27 2007 02:57 PM

Well, I read the horrifying stastics of
the plight of the polar bears and we belive
that something needs to be done about this.
However, I have summed up a number of brave
ideas that will save The Arctic and secure
the future of the polar bears. These ideas
include: Take international legal action in
both the World Court and the United Nations
to pass a powerful international law which
will keep development and oil exploration
out of The Arctic for good. In 1963, this
kind of international treaty was signed to
protect Antarctica from development of any
kind, and it will provide the same help for
The Arctic which will not only save it, but
also give it time to heal itself from the
effects of global warming.
Plus, those environmental groups, human
rights groups, powerful politicians who do
care for the environment and their best and
brightest lawyers will have to go directly
to international court in The Hague. They
may have to bring enough hard evidence and
shed further light on this unspeakable and
preventable international crisis. So just
make sure these brave people do their best
in international court.
Oh yes, we can even set up an entire
international air purifying system which
can be operated from an aviation device
from the sky, or an air purifying system
on the ground. When this is working, the
laws will still have to obeyed and that
complete international survielliance may
be needed to spy on illegal development
and polluters across the globe.

Michael — Sep 27 2007 05:16 PM

On a concurrent track with efforts to reduce emissions should be a mandate that the oil companies, whose profits are at record levels,set aside sufficient funding to breed Polar Bears and preserve the genetic diversity of this species in order to repopulate those areas in which suitable habitat returns.

MT — Sep 28 2007 01:46 PM

I'm all for preserving and protecting the Environment. I was born and raised loving this planet and its wild creatures.
I have long been distressed about drilling in the Arctic/Alaska. And I am sad about the Polar Bears. I think that the Earth has gone through many cycles of change and may now be effected by the Sun and may possibly be crossing "electromagnetic" debris fields in space. (for other planets are heating up)
But I also think that Man has added to this through the industrial age to now...CO2...
I think we should responsible as caretakers of this planet.
However, I DO NOT like the idea of a CARBON TAX at all. I know that some are leaning in that direction and some places have already implemented it. Knowing how these things go...it seems to me that the common man/woman will end up paying the brunt of this and the HUGE Corporations will find a way to eek out of their share of the bill.
It is bad enough that the Middle Class is all but dissappearing. I wonder how long it will be before there is a High Class and serfs? State of the world I guess. (sigh)
People are just trying to survive and make what living they can in this world. A better idea would be to look at alternative forms of energy. I've often said that we could have learned something from Tesla. How about electrostatic energy. Or if that's too fancy think of our Fore Fathers The Constitution was written on Hemp. Now there was a good product!! How about grow hemp for paper? Instead of cutting down forests for biofuel crops? The "common Man and Woman" do love the Earth...but they shouldn't have to prove their love through paying a Tax. There are other more sane paths to follow.
remember having extreme-wealth doesn't make some one a better "worthier" caretaker of the Earth. Nor are all poor/regular people ignorant polluters "wasting space" on our "pristine planet."
First a Tax...what's next? Reservations for Man? Oh, I forgot we already did that once (remember the Indians.)
Anyhow, I wish something could be done for the Polar Bears, but I hope and pray that whatever Bills are passed there won't be some "fineprint or underwriting which has unexpected consequences. In this new age of presidential directives though....
Who knows.

Phillip Davis, Ellerbe NC — Sep 28 2007 03:11 PM

I can appreciate MT's comments and understand your concerns about a regressive tax structure. The reality, however, is that we must reduce carbon emmissions and reduce them now. I'm not fat with cash flow and understand the burden of taxation. But, it's the rank and file people that have to cut out carbon as well as the rich corporations. Hitting consumers in their pocket books is the only way to make them alter their consumption patterns and demand corporations innovate toward green tech.
I'm for a carbon tax 100%
Keep caring for our environment, MT, and keep pressing for change.

Astra Pacold, D.D.S. — Sep 29 2007 10:05 AM

I believe that the only way to save groups or polar bears is to relocate them in groups.Large job. It was done with caribou
in Alaska. Takes lots of money and skilled people to do it. Relocation and migration
route changes are difficult with melting ice and possiblity of loss by drowning.
Feeding and roaming of these bears as well as hibernation habitat changes are also
a part of the dilema. Experts are needed to
determine these things and foundation money is needed to fund such a project. Awareness is good though and people taking action in
the proper direction is needed.

Stephanie Smith — Sep 29 2007 12:12 PM

We need to use every resource possible to protect the Polar Bears and the Arctic. Paying a tax would be okay if all of the money went directly to help the animals and things like green solutions - but somehow I feel the funds would be used inappropriately. Consumerism is a problem, but the energy consumption for our homes and workspaces is outrageous too. 50% of our emissions go toward our inefficient heating, cooling, lighting - all the things that make us comfy indoors. Green building is key. Spain has promised that all of it's new commercial building and renovations will be required to have qualities that go toward building a better environment (solar power, wind power, green roofs, skylights, etc.) The Netherlands runs their electricity plants with palm oil, not coal (they've had some upsets in getting reliable sources for all of the oil but at least they are trying). I live in small town America where all of the new development is town homes and condos that leak energy like a sieve and there are new coal plants ready to be built. My family and I are lucky to be renting a home build in the 1930’s that has thick insulating adobe walls. We are planning to build a straw bale structure of our own in the very near future. In the U.S. (and around the world) we need to improve our standards in building as well as ride our bikes and pay a little more for better, more environmentally sound products. Again, in the Netherlands, yes people own nice cars but they don’t use them daily, instead they ride their bikes. If we opt to ride a bike to all of our destinations that are 15 miles or less from our home it saves something like 30 cubic tons of emissions per year, plus it doesn’t cost much – just a little exercise and a warm jacket. Save all that extra steel and petroleum emissions for when you are old and feeble. The bears are irreplaceable - I've had a passionate love for the Arctic and her creatures for years - not least of all the majestic polar bear. We need to be thinking of the earth and animals first and always. I can appreciate Richard Hendricks comments on protecting the Arctic from oil exploration and development in the same fashion as the Antarctic was protected – where do I sign?

Sonja Bonfils — Oct 1 2007 03:14 AM

Just wish to say a few words : us, humans, are part of the Great Whole! We belong to the same Unity, the same Oneness, the same Wholeness!

We are linked to any life form... by hurting, harming, killing any other form of life is hurting, harming, killing oneself ...

May we arise the consciousness of those who still ignore this very truth ... I did find it out by myself back on 1984 when I did want to rid my apparment of mice! A dying mouse came up to me for a rescue but i was uncapable of. I was shattered and took decision to harm animals no more, even not those considered a nuisance! No animal is a nuisance, none! Killing is NO solution! They do are other ways!!

Ever since, I do my best in making others realize we mut treat animals, plants, trees, rocks etc with respect and dignity and that they all deserve to live!