Decade of the Environment

Number: 1989-08

WHEREAS, the world environment has become so threatened by a complex combination of problems, such as, global warming, ozone depletion, overpopulation, soil loss, acid deposition, solid and hazardous waste disposal, deforestation, and loss of biological diversity that concrete action is required by the year 2000 to ensure viability for future generations on this planet; and

WHEREAS, success in creating and implementing achievable solutions for these critical, life-threatening problems will depend on the commitment, cooperation and action of world political, community and environmental leaders; and

WHEREAS, the first Earth Day celebration in 1970 provided the impetus for creation of the modern environmental movement in the U.S., public demand for environmental protection in the 1990’s will be the basis for political action worldwide; and

WHEREAS, the public in this country is becoming aware of some of the global issues because news organizations have begun the crucial task of increasing public understanding by highlighting the environmental crisis in productions, such as, ABC’s Poisoning of America and Time magazine’s “Planet of the Year” issue; and

WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation is uniquely able to communicate the urgency of the environmental crisis to a large and broad-based group of citizens;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 16-19, 1989, in Arlington, Virginia proclaims the 1990’s as the Decade of the Environment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation calls for national and international efforts aimed at creating a sustainable world environment, and public participation in the 20th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 1990, as the beginning of a decade-long period of citizen action for our common future.