Do what you feel comfortable doing. Don't worry about what others "will say." If you can be just friends with the woman then do so. If you are too emotionally involved, then tell her how deeply you feel and therefore, being just friends is not good for you.
The polar bears are dying. The US Geological Survey Scientists project that two thirds of polar- bear population in the World could disappear by 2050.
However, the US dept of Interior said that the polar population will be listed as threatened by 5/14/08. Under the Endangered Species Act...