SAFE Act will address impacts of climate change

WASHINGTON (June 20, 2013)–– Today Senator Baucus and Senator Whitehouse reintroduced the Safeguarding America’s Future and Environment (SAFE) Act, which calls for establishing a federal program to respond to the impacts of climate change on wildlife and natural resources. It was previously introduced in 2011. The bill’s action items include establishing a Natural Resources Climate Adaptation Panel composed of the heads of federal agencies that manage the United States’ natural resources to coordinate federal adaptation efforts, legislatively authorizing the National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy and the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center, developing climate adaptation plans for each federal agency on the panel and authorizing funds to states for adaptation work.

“This bill recognizes that responding to climate change isn’t just about cutting carbon emissions,” said climate expert Noah Matson at Defenders of Wildlife. “It also means ensuring our wildlife and ecosystems are resilient and can withstand the extreme weather and other climate change impacts we are already experiencing. The two go hand in hand for a safe, healthy environment for wildlife, people and future generations.”

###

Contact: Haley McKey, (202)-772-0247, hmckey@defenders.org

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 and follow us on Twitter @DefendersNews.

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

News

A Transient orca jumps out of the water, making an arch with its body. It's back half and tail are almost completely covered with a white wave, splash.
Salem, OR

Defenders and Partners Urge Oregon State Action on Wildlife Conservation Bill as Two Senators Block Bipartisan Effort

A landmark bill to fund wildlife conservation in Oregon is being held up in the State Senate, despite passing the House with strong bipartisan support and clearing Senate Rules.
elk landscape
Washington, D.C.

New Assault on Public Lands Betrays Will of American People

Defenders of Wildlife slammed Senator Mike Lee’s (R-UT) most recent attempt to sell off our nation’s public lands through a provision in the Senate’s budget reconciliation bill for what it is – a brazen betrayal of the will of the American people.
Visit the newsroom