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Natural Resources Bulletin - April 20, 2009

Monday, April 20, 2009

(National Wildlife Federation)Natural Resources Bulletin - April 20, 2009
Campaign Edition

Global warming legislation that could provide up to $7 billion annually
in dedicated funding to protect natural resources for people and
wildlife has been introduced in the House of Representatives. From now
until Memorial Day when the Bill is voted on in committee, we will be
putting out a WEEKLY Natural Resource Bulletin - Campaign Edition.
Please read and TAKE ACTION!

Contents:
1. Sportsmen and women push for climate action on Capitol Hill
2. House committee to hold hearings on America's Clean Energy and
Security Act (ACES)
3. Earth day! Administration and Congressional leaders call for
action.
4. Call to action: National Call-In Day

Grassroots Push for Natural Resources Funding

Hunters and anglers from across the country are converging in
Washington, DC this week to talk with legislators about global warming.
With just 5 weeks to shape whether climate legislation includes
investment in wildlife and natural resources, the sportsmen and women
plan to tell their stories and urge immediate action on global warming
and include $7 billion in natural resource protection from climate
change. These sportsmen and women will represent some of the most
prominent grassroots organizations in the country, including Ducks
Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Izaak Walton League, National Wildlife
Federation and affiliates, and many more. (See attached letter)

Following the sportsmen, will be a dose of Hollywood as Ashley Judd and
Jeff Corwin (of Animal Planet fame), will carry the conservation message
up to Capitol Hill, lobbying for America's Clean Energy and Security Act
to invest in natural resources. Other conservation groups, including
Defenders of Wildlife and The Wilderness Society will be bringing board
members and VIPs to lobby with the same message on Capitol Hill this
week.

Grassroots Letter

Energy and Commerce Committee hearings on America's Clean Energy and
Security Act (ACES)

The House of Representatives is holding formal hearings all week on the
American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES). A full slate of
topics will be covered, ranging from alternative energy to helping
developing nations address climate threats. Adaptation - how to
safeguard natural resources for people and wildlife in the face of these
threats - will be discussed on Friday. Scheduled speakers throughout
the week, include members of President Obama’s cabinet (EPA’s
Jackson, Energy Secretary Stephen Chu, and Transportation Secretary Ray
LaHood) as well as former Vice President Al Gore and former Senator John
Warner, Republican author of last year's Climate Security Act and
long-time champion of natural resource and wildlife funding.

Earth Day! Administration and Congressional leaders call for
action

Momentum is building for global warming legislation to pass this year.

During this weekend’s Earth Day celebration on the National Mall, EPA
Administrator Lisa Jackson and Rep. Ed Markey, both key climate figures,
called on Americans to unite in support of new legislation that would
reduce the heat-trapping pollution in our atmosphere and pave the way to
a clean energy economy. The bill, introduced earlier this session by
Markey and Rep. Henry Waxman, would also help restore ecosystems to
protect people and wildlife from climate impacts.

Last week the EPA made a splash by finding that carbon dioxide - a
major greenhouse gas - endangers the public welfare. Under the Clean
Air Act, this requires the EPA to regulate carbon dioxide. Congress is
very hesitant to let the Administration regulate carbon dioxide,
because
carbon dioxide emissions come from so many sectors of society (most
pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act come only from power plants
and are therefore easier to regulate). However the only way to avoid the
EPA being forced to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, is for Congress
to quickly implement comprehensive global warming legislation.

However even with these positive steps toward global warming, a strong
grassroots push now is essential for this momentum to continue.

For more information:
http://www.nwf.org/news/story.cfm?pageId=B484D07C-5056-A868-A084228586276616

Call to Action

Save the Date: April 29 is the National Wildlife Federation’s
official “Call-In Day” for grassroots activists. A dedicated source
of funding for natural resources must be an integral part of any climate
legislation, and Congress needs to hear from YOU. Next week’s
bulletin will include a call script and contact information. By taking
a few minutes out of your day, you can help safeguard wildlife for our
children and generations to come.