Polar bears finally make it to the endangered species list. ANWR is now locked up and the key has been thrown away!

The department, in deciding to list the bear as threatened, will cite studies by its own scientists that the decline of Arctic sea ice off Alaska and Canada could result in two-thirds of the polar bears disappearing by mid-century, said federal officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had not been announced.

This is the first time that the Endangered Species Act has been used to protect a species threatened by the impacts of global warming. There has been concern within the business community that such action could have far-reaching impact and could be used to regulate carbon dioxide.

"The science is absolutely clear that polar bear needs protection under the Endangered Species Act," said Andrew Wetzler, director of the endangered species program at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Perhaps Alaska can use the 2 million dollars their legislature secured to hire scientists to refute the idea that polar bears are endangered by global warming to buy themselves a conscience.

I think that in this time of devastating droughts, killer cyclones, and an increasingly fragile ecosystem, putting making money ahead of saving our planet seems not simply short sighted but criminally negligent.

I, for one, am ashamed of my state. We both know, and can do, much better.