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Defenders of Wildlife heralds passage of historic energy and climate legislation by House of Representatives
Bill includes funding to address unavoidable impacts on natural resources
WASHINGTON – Today the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. This historic energy and climate legislation not only places a mandatory cap on damaging greenhouse gas emissions, but also takes an important step towards addressing the negative impacts that global warming is already having on America’s natural resources – and through that on human communities’ benefits from those - by providing funding for planning and action for natural resources adaptation at the federal, state and local level.
The following is a statement by Rodger Schlickeisen, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife:
“The passage of this historic legislation represents a critical first step toward making smarter energy choices, strengthening our economy, regaining a position of environmental leadership in the world, and addressing the causes and damaging impacts of climate change on our economy, ecosystems and human and wildlife communities.
“These damaging climate impacts were fully detailed by our nation’s leading scientists in a revealing interagency climate report released earlier this month that identified America’s vulnerability to climate change in the coming decades. Today’s action by Congress finally acknowledges the ever-increasing and urgent calls for action on climate and energy by scientists, citizens and congressional leaders.
“Defenders of Wildlife is grateful for the leadership shown by Chairmen Waxman and Markey, and by other House champions on natural resources including Representatives John Dingell, Raul Grijalva and Norm Dicks in securing this vital action to address climate change and its negative impacts on natural resources.
“While significantly more dedicated funding, and more stringent greenhouse gas reductions, will ultimately be needed to truly address the existing and projected threats of global warming to our wildlife and natural resources, today’s bill provides a promising first step. We look forward to working with the Senate and the Obama administration to further increase the funding necessary to safeguard America’s ecosystems, wildlife and natural resources, and to enact the strongest climate and energy bill possible – as soon as possible.”
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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org.
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