Number: 1990-01
WHEREAS, this year marks the 20th Anniversary of Earth Day–a date on which millions of people committed themselves to solving our world’s environmental problems; and
WHEREAS, significant progress has been made IN responding to some environmental problems, yet the nation and the world have failed to address adequately such issues as global climate change, toxic chemical contamination of the food chain, groundwater pollution, air pollution and waste disposal;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation IN annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1990, in Denver, Colorado, calls upon the citizens and governments of the world to increase their commitment to solving our common environmental concerns.
Oil Spills
WHEREAS, IN the last year the number of major oil spills has increased dramatically, bringing incredible destruction to the coast and wildlife of Alaska and other states; and
WHEREAS, the spill of the Khark 5 off the coast of Morocco compels us to address the needs of the aging oil tanker fleets of the world;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation IN annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1990, IN Denver, Colorado, urges the Congress to pass and the President to sign a Comprehensive Oil Spill Liability and Compensation Act as soon as possible, requiring especially the use of double hulls and segregated tanks on all new oil tankers.
Clean Air and Global Climate Change
WHEREAS, the nation faces serious air pollution problems, including acid rain, toxic air pollution and carbon monoxide and ozone pollution of our cities; and
WHEREAS, the world’s climate and environment could be radically altered by global warming and stratospheric ozone depletion if aggressive steps are not taken to prevent the release of carbon dioxide, CFCs and various other chemicals into the air;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation IN annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1990, IN Denver, Colorado, calls upon the Congress to enact and the President to sign this year, a stronger Clean Air Act that addresses acid rain, toxics, urban and interstate air pollution; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge the President to develop a national climate policy, take further aggressive steps to reduce CFC emissions, and take a leadership role IN negotiating an international agreement to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Toxic and Municipal Waste
WHEREAS, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Toxic Release Inventory, U.S. industry released over 21 billion pounds of toxic chemicals IN 1987; and
WHEREAS, the nation is on the verge of a municipal waste crisis: according to EPA, the total municipal solid waste generation IN the United States is over 160 million tons and has been rising at the rate of more than one percent per year, by the middle of the next decade the majority of the existing landfills will be full, waste continues to be dumped into oceans, and numerous concerns have been expressed over the potential problems of waste incinerators;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation IN annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1990, IN Denver, Colorado, calls upon EPA and other branches of the federal government to reduce the use of toxic chemicals and to promote the reduction of hazardous waste at its source IN industrial processes by establishing a national goal for waste reduction; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges Congress to address our municipal waste crisis by developing an aggressive national program to reduce the weight and volume of consumer and commercial waste primarily through production and consumption of reusable consumer products and rejection of throw-away products and packages, and secondarily through recycling.
Pesticides, Endangered Species, Other Fish and Wildlife, and Genetically Engineered Foods
WHEREAS, certain pesticide applications pose significant and unacceptable threats to endangered species and other fish and wildlife; and
WHEREAS, biotechnology companies are nearing commercialization of genetically engineered species for food;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation IN annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1990, IN Denver, Colorado, urges the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to implement a rigorous program to protect endangered species and other fish and wildlife from pesticides; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the Food and Drug Administration to develop regulations ensuring the safety of genetically engineered fish, plants, and animals used for food.
Ground, Surface and Drinking Water
WHEREAS, surface waters continue to be polluted by point and non-point sources, and groundwater, a major source of drinking water, has been seriously polluted IN at least some areas of all U.S. states and territories; and
WHEREAS, there continues to be a nationwide breakdown in compliance with and enforcement of the Safe Drinking Water Act, a breakdown affecting about 38 million U.S. citizens each year;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation In annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1990, in Denver, Colorado, urges Congress to adopt comprehensive federal legislation to protect groundwater from all significant sources of contamination, and that the states and U.S. territories do the same.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges EPA to more effectively oversee state water pollution control and drinking water programs, notify people who are drinking water supplied by a public water system that is violating the law, and enforce the drinking water laws when states do not do so.
The Great Lakes
WHEREAS, several studies over the past year have highlighted the adverse effects of toxic pollutants on wildlife and people who eat fish from the Great Lakes, including studies by the National Wildlife Federation, the Conservation Foundation and the International Joint Commission’s Science Advisory Board; and
WHEREAS, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the U.S. and Canada provides a detailed program for controlling the continuing sources of toxic pollutants and for cleaning up contaminated areas, but these programs have not been implemented by the responsible government agencies;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation In annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1990, in Denver, Colorado, reaffirms its support for the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and calls upon the U.S. and Canada to implement fully the provisions of that agreement.