December, 01 2009, 12:07pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Leda Huta, Endangered Species Coalition, (202) 320-6467
Jon Hunter, Endangered Species Coalition, (202) 476-0669
Noah Greenwald, Center for Biological Diversity, (503) 484-7495
Miyoko Sakashita, Center for Biological Diversity, (415) 436-9682
America's Hottest Species: New Report Highlights America's 10 Most Global-Warming Endangered Species as Decision-Makers Gather in Copenhagen
WASHINGTON
America's top 10 endangered wildlife, birds, fish, and plants
affected by global warming are highlighted in a new report released
today by the Endangered Species Coalition. The report, America's Hottest Species,
demonstrates ways that our changing climate is increasing the risk of
extinction for 11 species on the brink of disappearing forever.
"Global
warming is like a bulldozer shoving species, already on the brink of
extinction, perilously closer to the edge of existence," said Leda
Huta, executive director of the Endangered Species Coalition.
"Endangered species don't have the luxury of waiting for international
decision-makers to waiver on climate change. We need action now. Polar
bears, lynx, salmon, coral, and many other endangered species are
already feeling the heat."
The report focuses on
10 endangered or threatened species, as well as an online poll winner.
According to Huta, "The species in this report are representative of
all imperiled wildlife, plants and fish that are now facing an
additional compounding threat to their survival. If President Obama and
Congress don't lead, these impacts will only worsen."
Globally,
according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 20 to 30
percent of the world's species will be at an increased risk of
extinction if global temperature increases exceed 1.5 to 2.5 degrees
Celsius (3 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels. The
global warming threats to species include increased disease, diminished
reproduction, lost habitat, reduced food supply, and other impacts.
Safeguarding Species in a Warming World
"To help protect and restore endangered species, our nation must
address the impacts global warming is already having and clean up the
sources of global warming pollution - both nationally and internationally," said Huta.
America's Hottest Species
calls for action from the Obama administration and Congress. "On the
cusp of the Copenhagen meeting, the administration has the opportunity
to demonstrate leadership in protecting imperiled wildlife from global
warming," said Huta. "Simply put, we need binding agreements that will
reduce emissions." In addition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
recently released a draft Climate Change Strategic Plan to guide the
government in both reducing global warming pollution and safeguarding
fish and wildlife from the inevitable impacts of climate change.
Currently,
the U.S. Congress is considering climate change legislation. To truly
protect wildlife, the report calls for the legislation to at a minimum
follow three policies: 1) planning and funding to help wildlife adapt
to climate change; 2) CO2 emissions targets based on what the best
available science indicates is needed to avoid the worst impacts of
global warming; and 3) protection of existing environmental laws, such
as the Clean Air Act and Endangered Species Act.
America's Hottest Species
calls for global warming to be factored into all endangered species
related decisions now made in order to help prevent species from
disappearing forever.
The list of species in the report, along with additional media contacts, is below.
Top U.S. Species Endangered by Global Warming
- 'Akikiki or Kaua'i Creeper
- Location: Hawaii
- Additional Media Contact: Steve Holmer, American Bird Conservancy, 202-234-7181
- Elkhorn Coral
- U.S. Location: Florida
- Additional Media Contact: Miyoko Sakashita, Center for Biological Diversity, 415-436-9682
- Bull Trout
- Location: Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington
- Additional Media Contact: Rob Roberts, Trout Unlimited, 406-543-1192
- Canada Lynx
- Location:
Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire,
New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin,
Wyoming - Additional Media Contact:
- Southern Rockies: Josh Pollock, Center for Native Ecosystems, 303-546-0214 ext. 2
- New England: Tara Thornton, Endangered Species Coalition, 207-268-2108
- Location:
- Pacific Salmon
- Location: California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
- Additional Media Contact: Glen Spain, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, 541-689-2000
- Leatherback Sea Turtle
- U.S.
Location: Breed in Florida, Puerto Rico, US. Virgin Islands and are
found offshore from Maine to Texas and from Washington to California - Additional Media Contact: Marydele Donnelly, Caribbean Conservation Corporation, 410-750-1561
- U.S.
- Grizzly Bear
- Impacted Location: Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming
- Bog Turtle
- Location:
Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey,
New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Virginia
- Location:
- Western Prairie Fringed Orchid
- Location: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota
- Flatwoods Salamander
- Location: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina
- Additional Media Contact: Noah Greenwald, Center for Biological Diversity, 503-484-7495
- Activists' Choice: Polar Bear
- Location: Alaska
The full report, which includes information on each species and initial solutions, is available online at www.StopExtinction.org.
At the Center for Biological Diversity, we believe that the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence in our world of a vast diversity of wild animals and plants. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that species need to survive.
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