World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
leaders met to outline their plans on combating
the damage caused to Arctic eco-regions. In a
summit organized in Ottawa, Canada, WWF leaders
from eight Arctic countries discussed the damage
that has been caused and the steps that can be
taken to curb threats.
The
CEOs from WWF representing Denmark, Russia, Iceland,
Norway, Canada, Sweden, Finland and the United
States emphasized four specific targets. By 2010,
with the cooperation of northern residents the
WWF plans to complete a network of protected
areas that will include marine, freshwater and
terrestrial habitats. They plan to conserve and
restore wildlife in the region, by the same year.
They also plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
in industrial countries. Finally by 2007, they
plan to eliminate or reduce the levels of 30
of the most hazardous industrial chemicals and
pesticides found in the Arctic.
The Arctic regions contain the largest inhabited
natural ecosystems. These areas are fragile and
critical to earth's physical and chemical processes,
such as ocean currents, freshwater supply and moderating
climate.
These fragile ecosystems face growing threats
from industrialization and global warming. Climate
change and toxic pollution is causing reproductive
and immune system problems for animals in the habitat.
The summit highlighted three major threats which
are ill-planned development, uncontrolled climate
change and toxic pollutants.
Monte
Hummel, CEO of WWF-Canada said the Arctic was
one of the
last chances at conservation, as
development has "degraded most of the world's
pristine habitats."
Igor
Chestin, CEO of WWF-Russia called for joint effort
to conserve
the habitat. She said the Arctic
countries, "backyards are at risk from global
warming."
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