Congress Announces National Strategy to Protect our Nation’s Biodiversity

As a result of human-related activities, the loss of species is accelerating faster than ever before in human history according to scientists. The consequences of our actions are dire and widespread. Destruction of habitat, overexploitation of wildlife, climate change, pollution and invasive species are driving the biodiversity crisis and jeopardizing our health and the security of our nation. 

While there are federal agencies already tasked with protecting and conserving our nation’s biodiversity, we currently lack a national strategy to guide and mobilize a coordinated government response needed to fully address the crisis. 

Addressing this need, today, Rep. Neguse (D-Colo.), along with Reps. Lowenthal (D-Calif.) and Huffman (D-CA), introduced  a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives calling for a national biodiversity strategy.  This resolution has been endorsed by a number of scientists and national environmental organizations. 

“Species are being lost faster than ever in human history. The resolution introduced today calls for the federal government to establish a National Biodiversity strategy that will serve as a blueprint for strengthening and coordinating a federal response to combat this unprecedented loss of wildlife and habitats,” said Jamie Rappaport Clark, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife.

In May 2021, 196 nations that belong to the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity are meeting to set new goals and targets for preserving global biodiversity. In alignment with and complementary to the international community,  a component of a National Biodiversity Strategy is to set a national goal to protect at least 30% of our nation’s lands and waters by 2030 as part of actions to comprehensively address the drivers of the biodiversity crisis.

“Overconsumption, climate change and habitat destruction are threats to our health and national security, particularly for disadvantaged communities. Given the current biodiversity crisis, it is more important than ever to assert U.S. leadership in the context of renewed global efforts to protect biodiversity and nature,” said Clark. “By establishing a National Biodiversity strategy, we can focus our commitment to addressing wildlife and habitat loss and tackling species extinction. Defenders of Wildlife thanks Rep. Neguse for his leadership on this issue and urges Congress to adopt this legislation.”