Global Warming

There is no remaining scientific debate: humans are causing global warming and it is past time that we do something about it.

Defenders supports a national strategy for combating global warming which consists of two parts.

  • First, we must take immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to address the root cause of climate change.
  • Second, we must also craft responses and mechanisms now to help wildlife navigate the looming bottleneck of complex threats caused by global warming.

June 24, 2008 - House Testimony on Wildlife and Global Warming

Defenders' Executive Vice President, Jamie Rappaport Clark, testifies in front of a House Natural Resources Subcommittee and stresses the importance of helping wildlife adapt to climate change.

Read her testimony.
Learn more about the Global Warming Wildlife Survival Act.

Comprehensive Climate Change Legislation - A Step Forward

In June 2008, for the first time ever, a majority of U.S. Senators supported comprehensive climate change legislation (also called "cap-and-trade" legislation). While the Climate Security Act (S. 3036) failed to reach the 60 votes required, this vote still represents a strong step forward on the road to getting legislation enacted.

See Defenders' press release on this key vote.

Additional Resources
Get the facts on the Climate Security Act's wildlife provisions.
See how each Senator voted.
Letter of support from over 170 organizations
Learn more about global warming legislation.

What is Global Warming?
The issue of global warming can seem overwhelming and complex, but the scientific explanation for the phenomenon is relatively simple.

Causes and Impacts of Global Warming
Find out how global warming occurs and what this man-made problem is doing to our world.

Solutions
Real-life steps that you, your hometown, America and the world can take to curb global warming.

Wildlife and Global Warming
Global warming is one of the gravest threats facing wildlife today. Plants and animals are in real danger of falling victim because their habitat is changing too rapidly for them to keep up.

Wildlife Refuges and Global Warming
Global warming is the single greatest threat imperiling the National Wildlife Refuge system as a whole.

Public Service Announcements
Get the facts and do your part to save today's wildlife for tomorrow's generations.

Publications
Publications about global warming and climate change with a special focus on the impact on wildlife and habitat.