Number: 2007-08
WHEREAS, new scientific studies underscore the evidence that global warming is already having a significant impact on wildlife and habitats; and
WHEREAS, one recent review of 866 studies of wildlife responses to global warming shows that many animal and plant species have been dying off or changing sooner than scientists had predicted, including the extinction of at least 70 species of frogs (Parmesan, 2006); and
WHEREAS, the Bush Administration is calling for polar bears to be listed as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act due to declines in Arctic sea ice from global warming; and
WHEREAS, new research reveals that wildfires in western forests have become much more frequent and larger since the mid-1980s, a trend that corresponds with insect infestations, warmer springs, and an expansion of summer dry periods; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest that the nation transition to sustainable, renewable sources of energy that are better for the environment and reduce global greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, some of the rapidly expanding alternative energy technologies, such as ethanol from corn, biodiesel from soybeans, and co-firing of wood and grasses with coal have the potential to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, “next generation” bioenergy technologies, such as cellulosic ethanol or methanol from perennial grasses, trees and organic wastes, and thermochemical or gasification processing of plant materials, garbage and animal wastes have the potential to greatly improve upon existing bioenergy technologies in terms of sustainability, positive impacts on fish and wildlife populations, reduction of chemical input needs, improved net energy balances, and greater greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions; and
WHEREAS, even “next generation” bioenergy technologies need to be implemented carefully, with regard to feedstock production, refining, transport and use to ensure that negative impacts do not occur to soil and water quality, wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration and water supplies and to realize the greatest benefits to these resources as well as to global greenhouse gas reductions; and
WHEREAS, several nations in Europe and the state of California are considering or in the process of developing standards that would identify “sustainable biofuels” which are those produced with safeguards for the environment and local communities, to allow these to be recognized in the market place, and given special incentives;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, at its annual meeting assembled March 30-31, 2007, in Washington D.C., encourages the President of the United States to promote and the United States Congress to enact, legislation to advance incentives for research and development and mandates for production of “next generation” bioenergy as part of the solution to global warming; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports the development of sustainability standards for bioenergy production that will enable targeting of the greatest incentives and mandates for bioenergy to those produced, refined and distributed with the greatest global greenhouse gas reductions and largest positive net energy balances, while minimizing any negative impacts and maximizing any positive impacts on habitat, biodiversity, soil productivity, air and water quality, local communities and water supply; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports the passage of a new “Biofuels Innovation Program” to provide incentives in the next Farm Bill to promote development and advancement of “next generation” bioenergy from native perennial plants, preferably from mixtures of native species grown and harvested with wildlife, soil and water quality needs in mind, as well as robust research funding dedicated to understanding and improving bioenergy technologies in order to maximize net global greenhouse gas reductions, net energy balances, and positive soil, water, air and wildlife results; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation does not support the break-out of new land or reduction of forest habitat quality for the production of biofuels, or the use of Conservation, Wetlands or Grasslands Reserve program lands for production of dedicated biomass energy crops until it has been proven that such crops can be grown and harvested in such a way that their soil, water, air and wildlife benefits are retained.