The Bush administration has named the polar bear to the endangered species list. The fearsome arctic bear is the first creature added to the list as a result of global warming.

The designation requires federal protections under the Endangered Species Act. That means designation of habitat to be protected. It means coming up with a strategy to help the polar bear population recover.

This was a necessary move. But it came only after a U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif., set a May 15 deadline for the decision that was to have been completed by Jan. 9.

The bear's habitat — sea ice — is melting. What strategy can slow that process, or help the bear cope? The administration must answer the question.