FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2013

President Obama Calls for Action on Climate Change in Inaugural Speech
Statement from Defenders of Wildlife President Jamie Rappaport Clark:

“Climate change is the most pressing environmental challenge of our time and President Obama is to be commended for embracing this challenge head on. His leadership is critical; we must act now to slow the spread of greenhouse gases and help our communities and wildlife adapt to a warming world.

“The recent catastrophic weather events we have all witnessed are the best evidence that this is an urgent matter that needs to be addressed right now. We stand with the president in supporting a comprehensive response to these impacts, from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to protecting and restoring our forests, rivers, and wetlands to help them better withstand the warming of our planet so they can continue to provide us shelter, water, flood protection and other critical benefits. Future generations and the wildlife we share our planet with depend on it.”

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 supporters, 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

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manta rays swimming in the shallow ocean with coral
Fort Myers, FL

Defenders of Wildlife Applauds Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for Tightening Protections for Listed Species

Defenders of Wildlife welcomes today’s action by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to end open permitting for the capture of ESA-threatened marine species in Florida waters for public display and exhibition purposes.
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NARW
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Legal Intervention Aims to Protect North Atlantic Right Whales From Deadly Ship Strikes

Conservation groups today filed a motion to intervene to help fight a lawsuit aimed at overturning a seasonal speed rule protecting North Atlantic right whales from deadly vessel strikes. The groups want to defend the rule against a lawsuit brought by a New York vessel owner fined for violating seasonal speed limits. The suit alleges that NOAA Fisheries lacked the statutory authority to issue the rule.