- Polar Bears & Conservation
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- Other Human Interactions
- About the Polar Bear
- Polar Bear Cubs
- Polar Bear I.Q.
- Polar Bear Fur
- The Sea Bear
- More Facts
- Adaptions to Cold
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- Polar Bear Prey
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- Inuit & Polar Bears
- Bear Attacks
- Polar Bears in Zoos
- Myths & Misconceptions
- Hunting Seals
- Hibernation Facts
- Bathing Habits
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- Name That Bear!
- Walking and Running
- Feasting Bears
- Polar Bear Evolution

Resource Extraction and Development

For well over a century, people have mined coal, precious metals, gemstones, and minerals in the arctic regions. More recently, oil and gas have been added to the list of important assets, chiefly along the North Slope of Alaska. So far, discovery of hydrocarbon resources has been confined to the shore or the shallow waters nearby. At the present time, no offshore oil and gas exploratory wells are being drilled north of the Arctic Circle, although Norway is considering an arctic exploration program for 2004.

This is significant because, as marine mammals, most polar bears live most of their lives offshore on the sea ice and spend relatively little time on shore. Other than during the denning period, they are seldom exposed to the activities of seismic mapping, drilling, or production, as these are generally confined to onshore areas. Curious polar bears occasionally approach these shore-side facilities, lured by cooking odors and curiosity, but human/bear conflicts are rare.

Environmental groups express concern for the possible effects on polar bears and their prey base by oil- and gas-related activities. Should offshore petroleum reserves of commercial size be found there will also be increased air, sea, and pipeline traffic. The possibility of oil spills is a major worry, but so far none has occurred in a sea ice covered area.

In the United States, extraction activities on the North Slope of Alaska have been carefully monitored and restrictive permit conditions have been enforced. Perhaps as a result, there have been no bear mortalities nor discernable impact on them.

Political discussions are underway regarding exploration for oil and gas in the coastal zone of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge of Alaska (ANWAR). Environmental groups worried about potential harm to the environment are strongly opposed. North Slope native associations hoping for royalty income from oil and gas production support it. Protection for female polar bears using onshore denning sites in the coastal zone would be necessary.

Additional german informations can be found here.

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