Number: 1981-01
The National Wildlife Federation looks to the future with increasing concern because the Nation is beset with inflation, unemployment, energy shortages, and international crises. This organization fears that wise management for natural resources will be accorded only secondary importance to production and development, and hereby calls for conservationists to remain vigilant, vigorous, and dedicated in united efforts to protect the environment.
As an association of independent state organizations and their affiliated local groups and individuals, the National Wildlife Federation is confident that an alert and fully-informed public will demand sound management of natural resources. Conservation practices, therefore, must be based upon a solid foundation of public education, with more conservation being taught in the schools and emphasizing the science of ecology and wise use and management of natural resources.
Energy shortages aggravate hunger, inflation, and unemployment and exert adverse impacts upon natural resources through the world. These shortages are accentuated by demands from a steadily-increasing human population. The National Wildlife Federation, therefore, continues to be of the firm conviction that high national and international priority must be given to reaching solutions to energy shortages and population increases, as being among the most serious difficulties facing the United States and the world. The National Wildlife Federation, convinced that pollution abatement creates job opportunities rather than costing them, remains dedicated to fighting environmental contamination by cleaning up public waters, reducing air pollution, controlling the disposition of hazardous substances, and curtailing waste of finite resources. Even though many people complain about new federal laws controlling air and water pollution and toxic waste dumps, the National Wildlife Federation does not feel that we have too much environmental regulation.
This organization strongly believes that natural resources programs merit federal funding, and shall vigorously seek suitable appropriations for essential projects.
In light of the foregoing background, the National Wildlife Federation invites the attention of all Americans to what it considers the major issues of 1981:
Energy. The National Wildlife Federation continues to support a national energy policy which balances economic growth and standards of living while protecting environmental resources. Major allocations of federal funds must be dedicated to research and development of clean alternative sources of energy such as solar, wind, geothermal, and tidal power, biomass conversion and other renewable fuels. The efficiency with which we use energy must be improved by providing adequate consumer information, cutting gasoline consumption, enforcing tougher rules on thermostat settings, insisting upon home insulation and weatherizing, and encouraging the development and application of energy efficient industrial processes. A lower per capita energy consumption rate and more efficient use of all natural resources are encouraged. Until radioactive waste disposal safety problems are resolved, we should not increase our dependence upon nuclear power.
Environmental contamination. Contamination of air and water resources by a variety of pollutants threatens the public health, fish and wildlife, impairs outdoor recreational pursuits, and inflicts damage on public facilities. The harmful effects often are imposed far from the sources of pollution. The National Wildlife Federation supports tough clean air standards on auto emissions, discharges from coal-burning plants, and industrial pollution. This organization also recognizes the values of clean and abundant water supplies and believes it is essential to crack down on polluters (including offending federal facilities), instituting more efficient municipal and industrial waste treatment methods and operations.
Agricultural lands. Prime, food-producing farmland is being converted to urban, industrial, transportation, and water uses at the rate of one million acres per year. The National Wildlife Federation, concerned about our ability to feed ourselves and many other peoples as well, believes tougher laws and financial incentives should be used to protect prime farmlands with housing and industrial growth limited to other than productive agricultural lands. Further, we must reduce soil erosion through sound soil-and-water practices, including those which provide fish and wildlife habitat, and preserve wetlands through protective zoning and land use laws.
Population stabilization. In only 20 years, the world population likely will jump from 4.4 billion to more than 6 billion, exerting additional pressures on natural resources and the environment. This organization, therefore, continues to encourage governmental agencies to promote family planning through education and economic incentives to stabilize populations in every country at replacement levels, and calls for studies to align U.S. immigration policies within the carrying capacity of the land. The Federation reiterates its long-standing conviction that humans deserve the opportunity to lead pleasant and productive lives in heathful and stimulating environments rather than merely struggling for survival.
Fish and Wildlife. The National Wildlife Federation re-emphasizes its belief that habitat for wild creatures must be ensured and safeguarded even in competition for land and water areas with other uses. It is viewed as essential that adequate funding be provided for research projects, operation and maintenance of wildlife refuges, and protection of endangered species. Modest taxes should be imposed upon certain items of camping, hiking, birdwatching and bird-feeding equipment, and fishing and boating gear to support non-game and fisheries programs. The U. S. should exercise a vigorous worldwide leadership for reducing the illegal trade in wildlife which may result in further losses of endangered species.
Public lands. The federal government owns and manages about 700 million acres of publicly-owned land. These vast areas provide extensive habitat for wildlife and livestock, and may contain immense reserves of oil, minerals, and timber. They also have great recreational and aesthetic values. The National Wildlife Federation feels that a rational balance of resource uses must be achieved and any losses of wildlife habitat and other recreational values to economic or other development must be fully mitigated. The National Wildlife Federation continues to oppose the transfer of federal lands other than those heretofore authorized by the Congress to the states and private enterprise. Natural resource values must be given full consideration and protection in planning for an MX missile defense system based on public lands.
Transportation. Federal highways are America’s largest publicly-funded project; highway travel also is our largest single consumer of petroleum reserves, and is a major source of air pollution. The National Wildlife Federation believes where substantial environmental damage would result it is wiser to invest the annual $3 billion federal highway construction budget in adequate maintenance of existing highway transportation systems and in alternative transportation projects such as mass transit.