|
At-Risk Wildlife Need More Help, Not Less
Please Help Protect Irreplaceable Wildlife!
 |
| Photo: Michele Westmorland |
As you well know, global warming is already affecting species across the globe—from polar bears in the far north to the tiny piping plover of our Atlantic coasts.
The Endangered Species Act is our nation’s most powerful safety net to protect imperiled wildlife like these from climate change and many other threats. But the Bush administration has recently proposed drastic changes that would prevent this critical safeguard from doing its job.
This new rule would cut the true experts in our federal wildlife agencies out of the picture and streamline approval for projects that could threaten sea turtles, lynx, salmon, and countless other species already struggling with the new challenges of global warming.
We cannot allow the Bush administration to cut holes in this critical safety net, just when our at-risk species need it most. The comment period is open now: Help us send the message that Americans want to keep a strong Endangered Species Act as well as a renewed commitment to protecting wildlife from climate change!
Thanks again for joining this effort and for all you do.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Opposition to Proposed Rule FWS-R9-ES
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
Please accept this comment in opposition to your proposals to dramatically undermine the Endangered Species Act, our nation's safety net for wildlife and plants on the brink of extinction [FWS-R9-ES-2008-0093] and [0808011023-81048-01].
Cutting the true experts in the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service out of the decision-making process and allowing agencies to decide a project's level of harm themselves eliminates the system of scientific checks and balances that has made the landmark law so successful.
I am especially concerned that the proposed changes would stop consideration of how climate change is further threatening many species like salmon, sea turtles, Florida panther, and many others on the Endangered Species List. Global warming may be the biggest problem our imperiled species face, and we need more consideration and analysis of these impacts, not less.
Americans have made it clear time and time again that we want strong protections for our most at-risk species, and we oppose loopholes that weaken these safeguards. Please continue the requirement for independent scientific review and begin a renewed commitment to considering the effects of climate change on our nation's treasured wildlife and plants.
Sincerely,
|
