Defenders of Wildlife - Polar Bears

Senate votes to protect Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from Big Oil drills

Tue, 13 Mar 2012

In its first vote on the issue since 2008, the U.S. Senate today decisively voted down an amendment to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration.

Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Other Coastal Waters

Fri, 17 Feb 2012

Stand up for polar bears and other arctic wildlife. Urge your U.S. Representative to save the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and our coasts from Big Oil.

Polar Bears Win in Climate Change-Related Court Ruling

Thu, 15 Dec 2011

On October 17, 2011, a federal judge struck down a Bush administration rule that exempted greenhouse gas emissions from regulation under provisions of the Endangered Species Act.

Obama administration protects Atlantic from harms of drilling, leaves Arctic vulnerable to devastating oil spill

Tue, 8 Nov 2011

The Obama administration today announced its Proposed Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2012-2017

Assault on Wildlife: The Endangered Species Act Under Attack

Thu, 1 Sep 2011

This report details current legislative attacks on America’s imperiled plants and animals and assesses how each one would eviscerate wildlife conservation efforts. Taken together, these attacks would undermine nearly four decades of success under the Endangered Species Act and go back on our nation’s commitment to preserving our wildlife heritage for future generations.

Congress launches broad assault on endangered species

Thu, 1 Sep 2011

WASHINGTON (Sept. 1, 2011) – When members of Congress return next week, they could consider at least 13 different legislative proposals to undercut endangered species protections, according to a comprehensive report released today by Defenders of Wildlife. Assault on Wildlife: The Endangered Species Act under attack details current legislative attacks on America’s plants and animals and assesses how each one would eviscerate wildlife conservation efforts.

New research details threats to mammals found in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Fri, 12 Aug 2011

Increased protection for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is critical to the survival of some of the refuge’s most charismatic wildlife, according to new research released today by Defenders of Wildlife.

Feds ignore risks and green light Shell drilling in Arctic Ocean

Thu, 4 Aug 2011

The U.S. Department of the Interior took a dangerous and disappointing leap towards drilling in the remote and fragile waters of America’s Arctic Ocean today. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) approved a plan by Shell Oil to conduct the first drilling in the harsh and remote Arctic Ocean since the Deepwater Horizon tragedy. Under this plan, Shell would start drilling in the Beaufort Sea in summer 2012.

No Refuge from Warming: Climate Change Vulnerability of the Mammals of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Fri, 22 Jul 2011

Full report containing the results of a systematic assessment of climate change vulnerability of the mammals of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Includes a 1-2 page profile of each of the mammal species in the refuge.

Climate Change and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Which Species are Most at Risk?

Fri, 22 Jul 2011

This report summarizes the results of a systematic assessment of climate change vulnerability of the mammals of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

No Refuge from Warming: Supplementary Materials

Fri, 22 Jul 2011

Extensive description of the CCVI methodology used to assess the vulnerability of Arctic Refuge mammals.

Polar bear deserves protections of Endangered Species Act, says court

Thu, 30 Jun 2011

A federal judge today upheld the Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision that the polar bear be listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and continue to receive the protections afforded by the law.

Saving America's Bears

Fri, 6 May 2011

From Yogi to Smokey to Teddy, few animals are as beloved as America’s bears. And few animals are as misunderstood. The truth is, bears have more to fear from us than we have to fear from them.

Protect the Polar Bear Seas

Thu, 31 Mar 2011

Stand up to Big Oil. Urge the Obama administration to nix new drilling in the Polar Bear Seas.

Today%26#8217;s Exxon Valdez oil spill anniversary serves as stark reminder to keep drilling out of America%26#8217;s Arctic Ocean

Thu, 24 Mar 2011

It’s been 22 years since the world watched one of the worst environmental disasters of our time unfold in Alaska’s Prince William Sound. Now, even as tens of thousands of gallons of oil from that disaster still linger just below the surface of Prince William Sound’s beaches, the oil industry is pushing to drill in Alaska’s Arctic waters without the technology or know-how to clean up an oil spill in the Arctic’s extreme, icy conditions.

Defenders Proposals to the Board of Game for their first March 2011 meeting

Fri, 11 Feb 2011

Defenders Proposals to the Board of Game for their first March 2011 meeting

Sen. Lieberman introduces bill to protect the Arctic Refuge from drilling

Tue, 25 Jan 2011

Continuing in his longtime role as a champion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) today is introducing a bill to designate the 1.5 million acre Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge as Wilderness – giving its wildlife, lands and waters increased protections against development. This bill comes as the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Arctic Refuge – an event recently highlighted by President Barack Obama through a presidential proclamation – and as the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives appears poised to push for more drilling there. Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA) introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month.

New report details plight of polar bears

Thu, 9 Dec 2010

Banking polar bear DNA, supplemental feedings and bear-resistant food storage are among measures that could be key to preserving polar bears for future generations, according to a new report by Defenders of Wildlife.

Polar Bear Fact Sheet: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Essential to Iconic Marine Mammal%26#8217;s Survival

Mon, 6 Dec 2010

This fact sheet discusses threats posed to polar bears by climate change and the importance of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to this species' survival.

Sea Bear Under Siege: Polar Bears and Climate Change in Alaska

Mon, 6 Dec 2010

This report discusses threats posed by climate change and exacerbated by other risk factors and offers recommendations on what we can do now to help.