Defenders of Wildlife Applauds New Global Warming Legislation
Conservation Group Sees Rep. Henry Waxman's (D-CA) Bill as Long-term, Science-based Solution to Global Warming
(03/20/2007) - Washington, D.C. -- Defenders of Wildlife today applauds Rep. Waxman's Safe Climate Act, which requires the U.S. to cut its global warming pollution emissions over the next 13 years to 1990 levels. This reduction would be a 15 percent drop from our current levels. In the long-term, the bill promises to gradually and systematically reduce U.S. emissions to 80 percent below the 1990 level over the next four decades."Rep. Waxman's legislation is a forward-looking, science-based bill that attacks the problem at its core by reducing global warming pollution," says Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife. "By committing now to systematically chip away at this problem over the course of several decades, we can avoid the worst consequences of global warming, while ultimately leaving future generations with a cleaner, healthier environment."
The bill aims to reduce U.S. emissions in small increments starting in 2010 with a two percent reduction per year between 2011 and 2020. After that, the annual goal increases to a five percent cut in global warming pollutants from 2020 until 2050. By 2050 the country's emissions would be 80 percent lower than in 1990.
In addition to these firm pollution reduction requirements, the Safe Climate Act also requires progress in energy efficiency, increased use of renewable energy sources and cleaner cars. Specific measures include the use of existing energy-saving technology and the development of more advanced projects over the years, including affordable zero-energy buildings and biofuels made from waste materials. These tactics will have far-reaching impacts such as reducing air pollution, creating new jobs and decreasing our dependence on foreign oil.
"Defenders of Wildlife whole-heartedly supports this bill because of its practical approach and the positive impact it will have on our nation's wildlife and its habitat," continues Schlickeisen. "The effect that global warming is already having on animals and plants, especially in the Arctic, is one of the most important conservation issues we face today."
Science has shown that rising sea levels, melting ice and habitat shifts due to global warming are threatening the survival of a number of species around the country. The best known example of this is the polar bear. As global warming melts the pack ice on which polar bears travel and hunt, adult and young polar bears have starved and drowned. Some polar bears have even resorted to cannibalism. These current trends have led the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to propose listing the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Defenders is confident Waxman's bill will help combat these problems.
"We are ready and willing to work with Rep. Waxman and his colleagues in Congress to develop solutions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enable wildlife to survive the next century until the benefits of emissions reductions can be fully realized," concluded Schlickeisen.
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Defenders of Wildlife is recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 500,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues.
Contact(s):
Joe Vickless, (202) 772-0237Deborah Bagocius, (202) 772-0239
