No consensus at Canadian polar bear summit - Science - redOrbit

Canada is home to about 15,000 polar bears, about two-thirds of the world population, in 13 distinct areas. While the United States declared the bears an endangered species in May 2008, Gabriel Nirlungayuk, director of Wildlife for Nunavut Tunngavik said the bears are actually more prolific now.

"Forty or 50 years ago, our camping areas were not invaded by these animals," he said Friday. "The current population is stable. It is not constructive to exaggerate that situation."

Harry Flaherty, chair of the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, agreed and said scientists were politicizing the bears' status.

"They are using the polar bear as a tool, a tool to fight climate change," Flaherty said. "[Th]ey shouldn't do that. The polar bear will survive. It has been surviving for thousands of years."

EMMA THOMPSON - THOMPSON TELLS HEATHROW MINISTER TO "GET A GRIP"

Thompson is among a group of celebrities outspokenly critical of the government's approval of a third runway at the airport.

In an interview with the Guardian on Saturday, transport secretary Geoff Hoon singled out the Sense and Sensibility star for opposing expansion but flying around the globe to promote her green cause.