---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 16:27:23 -0400 (EDT) From: WWF Conservation Action Network <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Protect Nature Around the Globe SEND ACTION~a25565u30516
Dear Alan,
Take action and help prevent a steep drop in funding for a key global environmental program that has supported hundreds of projects worldwide, including the conservation of barrier reefs in Belize, tropical rain forests in the Philippines, and important bird habitat in Africa.
President Bush's proposed budget for fiscal year 2006 recommends much too little money to carry out the extremely important work of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which supports conservation projects around the world. Congress will soon decide how much to allocate to the GEF and needs to hear now that Americans strongly support global conservation efforts.
By taking action, you will also be urging Congress to allocate sufficient funding for the biodiversity conservation activities of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Some examples of USAID's recent critical activities include a census of mountain gorillas in Africa, marine protected area work in Mozambique, and community forestry projects in Nepal. This year, for the first time ever, President Bush's budget included a line item for this program and the amount requested is close to what is needed. But, with budgets so tight, Congress also needs to know that citizens think these activities are worth supporting.
SEND A FREE LETTER NOW TO YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS:
* QUICK OPTION: Send the message below, as is, by simply replying to this email. (This option works only if you received this email directly from the Conservation Action Network.)
* POWERFUL OPTION: Personalize your letter. Go to http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/ctt.asp?u=30516&l=87164 and follow the instructions for adding your own thoughts to your message. Decision makers pay much more attention to personalized messages.
DO EVEN MORE:
-- Forward this alert to your friends and colleagues.
-- Call you representative and senators and make the main points from the letter below. You can reach your legislators via the capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
You can make a big difference for wildlife and wild places around the globe. Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Beth Allgood Congressional Liaison World Wildlife Fund Washington, DC
***************************LETTER TEXT**************************
Dear (your representative's and senators' names will be inserted here):
As your constituent and a concerned citizen who believes the United States has an important role to play in protecting world biodiversity, I urge you to push for $132.5 million for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and $175 million for the biodiversity conservation programs of the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) in the FY06 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill.
The GEF is the largest international funding source for activities aimed at protecting the world's atmosphere, international waters, and biological diversity. Since its inception in 1991, the GEF has helped more than 120 developing countries, supporting projects to conserve natural resources, phase out the use of ozone-depleting chemicals, and encourage the proliferation of renewable energy technologies. The United States and 31 other countries contribute funds each year to support this crucial environmental work.
Unfortunately, the $107.5 million the president proposed for fiscal year 2006, which is significantly lower than his request last year, is simply too little to do the job and doesn't meet his pledge. Unless Congress adds significantly to this request, other countries that contribute to the GEF will rightfully blame our country for undercutting the world's efforts to protect biodiversity and natural resources.
Equally important and in need of your support are USAID's biodiversity conservation programs. These efforts protect the habitat of threatened and endangered wildlife around the world, while also improving the economic and social well-being of local people. For the past few years, Congress has consistently supported these programs. This year, for the first time, the president's budget includes a line item for this initiative, with a request for $165.5 million. That's close to the $175 million that's needed to support successful ongoing projects as well as important new efforts, including the Amazon Initiative that protects important and rapidly disappearing resources.
While I realize that our federal budget is tight, I believe it is particularly important to support a healthy environment around the globe. Empowering people to sustainably manage and utilize their natural resources will pay huge dividends in promoting a more secure and peaceful world.
I urge you to do all you can to ensure that these initiatives receive the support they need to achieve their critically important missions.
Sincerely,
Your name and address will be inserted here
**************************END OF LETTER TEXT*************************
LEARN MORE:
Read "The International Conservation Budget: Building on America's Historic Commitment to Conservation," prepared by World Wildlife Fund and three other conservation organizations to inform Congress about vital U.S. programs that fund conservation in developing countries: http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/ctt.asp?u=30516&l=87165
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