Contact: Tierra Curry, (928)-522-3681, tierracurry@centeractionfund.org
Brett Hartl, (202) 774-7296, bretthartl@centeractionfund.org
Weld Becomes First Presidential Candidate to State the Extinction Crisis Represents a National Emergency
WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Bill Weld of Massachusetts is the first to publicly announce that the wildlife extinction crisis should be declared a national emergency. Bobby Bascomb, host of the Living on Earth radio program, recently asked Weld: “Environmental groups want to create a national emergency, essentially, around the issue of biodiversity loss. How do you respond to that notion?” Weld responded: “Well, I totally agree with that. I mean, I am a birder with a life list and bird species have taken it on the chin.”“It is refreshing to hear a Republican presidential candidate talk about the extinction crisis, and we’re grateful that Bill Weld shows that he cares about our planet’s future,” said Tierra Curry, chief scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund. “Now we need all of the Democratic candidates to step up and commit to bold action to address the heartbreaking wildlife extinction crisis we are facing.”
In 2019 the United Nations warned that 1 million plant and animal species are at risk of being lost. According to a new plan released by the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund’s affiliate organization, the Center for Biological Diversity, ending the global wildlife extinction crisis will require bold leadership from the United States, including the from the next president. Among the key recommendations are declaring a national emergency for the extinction crisis, investing $100 billion in saving species, and protecting 30 percent of the country for wildlife by 2030.
“Making sure that future generations still get to see monarch butterflies, frogs, fireflies and other wildlife should be one of the top priorities of every presidential candidate, we hope more will follow Bill Weld’s lead,” said Curry.
The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund is a national nonprofit organization that advocates for legislation and legislators that will advance a progressive environmental agenda. The Action Fund is the 501(c)(4) affiliate of the Center for Biological Diversity, but these organizations’ names are not interchangeable. This news release is from the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, not the Center for Biological Diversity.