Protecting Natural Resources in the Face of Global Warming Derek Brockbank National Wildlife Federation September 11, 2008
Global Climate Change and the Great Lakes
Invasive Species Phragmites Zebra Mussels
Declining Water Levels
Heavier rainfall Run-off Water contamination
Hunting and Angling in Michigan ParticipantsExpendituresJobs Angling34,071,000$35.6 Billion1,068,046 Hunting13,034,000$20.6 Billion 575,368 Hunting and Angling in the United States ParticipantsExpendituresJobs Angling1,354,000$838.6 Million21,301 Hunting 754,000$490.3 Million12,144 Source: 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation
Unprecedented Threat Needs......An Unprecedented Investment
How about $7 billion per year for Natural Resources? Yes, that’s $7,000,000,000 per year. How? Global Warming Legislation.
How the Climate Security Act Protects Natural Resources Greenhouse Gas Emissions Decline 2% Annually Provides Funding and Policy Direction for Natural Resource Agencies to Protect and Restore resources threatened from global warming
Investment in Natural Resources In the Climate Security Act: Unprecedented Funding for Key Agencies: $137B Through 2030 ($4B to $13B annually) Not Dependent on Annual Appropriations 7 Percent of Total Allowance Value MI DNR
The Natural Resource Title in Climate Security Act 35% - State and territorial fish and wildlife agencies 1% - Tribal fish and wildlife agencies 5% - EPA 5% - Forest Service 5% - Department of the Interior (Cooperative grants programs) 10% - NOAA 10% - Army Corps of Engineers 10% - Land and Water Conservation Fund* 19% - Department of the Interior (Wildlife programs, federal lands and waters under DOI’s jurisdiction) LWCF – 10% or $900 million, whichever is less. If the 10 percent share exceeds $900M, the excess will be distributed pro rata to other agencies using the bill’s allocation formula.
New Bills: Rep. John Dingell Chair of Energy and Commerce Committee Rep. Lloyd Doggett Ways and Means Committee
Looking ahead to New President – will Obama and/or McCain support Natural Resource investment? Bills in House and Senate – who will write them? Regional Bills –Midwestern Governor’s Initiative?
Key Challenges in the Campaign to Secure Large-Scale Dedicated Funding Lack of Awareness and Engagement Lack of Awareness and Engagement by Key Constituencies No Consensus No Consensus on What Adaptation Looks Like (or Costs) Competition Competition From Tax Cuts and Consumer Rebates Competition Competition From Other Legitimate Claimants Michael Durham
Historic Opportunity to Secure Large-Scale Dedicated Funding in Next 2 Years Key Elements of Campaign: Craft Agenda for New Administration and Congress Develop Models at State/Regional Levels Massive Outreach & Engagement Sophisticated Communications Reinvent Conservation!