Wildlife Legacy

• Felice Stadler
• May 06, 2014

Our parents and previous generations inspired us to love wildlife and wild places, from taking us fishing to showing us our first caterpillar in the backyard, and they have made efforts to protect this outdoor heritage for us. We have a lot to be thankful for. Generations past and present have worked to raise awareness about threatened species and advocated for smart conservation policies and initiatives to help species like the North American river otter and the pronghorn, once threatened, be able to now thrive.

Climate change is threatening the wildlife legacy we leave for our children. Our changing climate has been impacting young wildlife, essential breeding habitat, and threatening the survival of future generations of wildlife. Puffins in the north are seeing a decreased food supply with the warming ocean temperatures. Monarch butterflies are experiencing disruptions in migratory patterns due to warmer weather. Sea turtles are struggling with rising sea levels. Many other species and their young are feeling the impacts of climate change.

We have an obligation to our children and future generations to address carbon pollution that causes climate change and threatens our wildlife and wild places. It is up to us to preserve our wildlife heritage – for our children’s future.

We must move away from the current reliance on fossil fuels and invest in clean energy solutions that do not pollute. Fortunately, we have the tools and know-how to start making this transition today.

We can protect the next generation of wildlife, by:

• Implementing smart and effective policies that reduce carbon and other greenhouse gas pollution driving climate change and endangering the health of our communities and wildlife.
• Investing in clean, wildlife-friendly renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to replace our dangerous dependence on dirty fossil fuels.
• Safeguarding wildlife and wildlife habitat by designing and carrying out Climate Smart Conservation strategies to reduce the level of negative climate change impacts and enhance the ability of wildlife and wildlife habitats to survive the changing climate.