Polar Bears Thrive, Contrary to WWF Claims
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Polar Bears Thrive, Contrary to WWF Claims
You've probably seen the commercials; TV actor Noah Wyle (ER, The Librarian)
somberly informs us of an impending grave catastrophe: "A tragedy is
unfolding in the world today. Climate change is threatening one of the
most magnificent wild animals on the planet. Polar bears. They're struggling
to survive."
Heart-tugging violins accompany video footage of a mother polar bear and
her cuddly cub on a small ice flow.
...
However, there are several big problems with this picture and message. First
of all, there is no evidence provided in the commercial or by WWF in its
literature or on its website that this particular polar bear and her cub
are weak, starving, or in any distress whatsoever. For all we can tell
they are healthy and happy, floating on their iceberg as polar bears do
and have done since they've been around on this planet. It is only the
narration and the music that suggest otherwise. But, more importantly,
the main message of the commercial is a ... big lie. No sense in mincing
words. Completely contrary to the WWF's maudlin claims that the cuddly
predators are on "their way to extinction," polar bear populations have
been exploding. The number of polar bears in the world is four to five
times greater than it was 50 years ago, increasing from around 5,000
to an estimated 25,000.