Number: 2008-02
WHEREAS, the threat of global warming is the most serious threat to the natural and man-made environment humanity has ever confronted; and
WHEREAS, eminent scientists have stated that the world must reduce its rate of emission of global warming gases by no less than two percent a year to prevent catastrophic changes in sea level, climate, and other environmental factors; and
WHEREAS, most scientists agree that the level of existing emission of global warming gases must be reduced by 80% by 2050; and
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation has urged Congress to adopt a climate change program which will result in the reduction of emissions by the United States at a rate of no less than two percent a year; and
WHEREAS, it is incumbent on the National Wildlife Federation, affiliate members, and the conservation community at large to lead by example, by reducing emissions associated with their activities as quickly as possible and investing in meaningful offsets to cover the remaining emissions;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation and affiliate members, at the annual meeting assembled May 14-17, 2008, in Keystone, CO, hereby challenges each conservation organization to commit to the reduction of emissions associated with all its activities by at least two percent per year beginning in 2008, until emissions are reduced by at least 80%; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation encourages the conservation community to determine its carbon footprint, using guidelines from organizations such as the World Resources Institute, in order to establish a baseline to track their efforts going forward; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation encourages the conservation community to track the business travel and commuting mileage of employees; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation encourages the conservation community to identify and use carbon offset providers that have been reviewed and highly rated; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation encourages the conservation community to switch from coal-produced energy to alternative and renewable energy sources to supply electricity needs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation encourages the conservation community to support the “green industry” by selecting vendors and providers who are also making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation encourages the conservation community to begin instituting fundamental infrastructure changes in their programs, policies and practices to diminish dependence upon carbon, such as:
- Travel: Encouraging and providing employee incentives for public transportation, carpooling, bicycling, hybrid and electric vehicles. Promoting telecommuting. Providing on-site childcare and electric fleet vehicles. Increasing the use of conference call technology for organizational meetings to reduce travel. Inventorying employee travel for purposes of reduction, mitigation, or offset actions.
- Buildings: Encouraging retrofitting organizational facilities for green energy and conservation. Reducing standy mode electronics. Siting new organization buildings on mass transit lines, near affordable housing. Providing incentives for employees to reduce the carbon footprint of their homes.
- Investments: Directing organizational investment portfolios into more green investments.
- Publications: Reducing organizational printed publications and paper use through electronic alternatives, eliminating waste, and utilizing more efficient technologies.