Whereas scientists estimate that approximately
1/10 of the world’s known biological diversity is
currently in danger of extinction, including at least 1/4
of all mammals, 1/3 of all primates,
1/3 of all amphibians, and 1/8 of all
birds;
Whereas scientists have concluded that the initial stages
of a major worldwide extinction event are occurring now and have estimated that
by the end of the 21st century as much as 2/3 of the
world’s plant and animal species could be in danger of extinction;
Whereas scientists estimate that approximately
3/4 of the world’s terrestrial plant and animal species
reside in whole or in part in developing nations, where in many cases poor
management of natural resources has exacerbated the threat of extinction to
many species and directly harmed local communities;
Whereas, in addition to producing 20 percent of the
world's carbon emissions, unsustainable forestry practices and illegal logging
operations have led to the destruction of vast areas of forested land around
the world, which, in turn, has led to species loss, increased flooding,
erosion, insect infestations, and higher incidences of malaria and other
infectious diseases;
Whereas the degradation of the marine environment and
unsustainable fishing practices in many parts of the world have led to dramatic
declines of many fish and other marine species;
Whereas the introduction of invasive species threatens
natural habitats;
Whereas scientists have concluded that many species could
face an increased risk of extinction from global climate change;
Whereas sound natural resource management and the
conservation of species and habitats are vital to alleviating poverty for many
communities in developing countries that depend on these resources for their
livelihoods, food, medicinal compounds, housing material, and other
necessities;
Whereas there are significant risks to the global and
national economies from the destruction of natural resources around the world
and the valuable services they provide, such as water and air purification,
soil fertility and erosion control, flood and drought mitigation, protection
from storm surges, and the sequestration of carbon;
Whereas human encroachment into natural ecosystems
increases opportunities for the emergence and transmission of new animal-borne
diseases that could cause high levels of human mortality and affect major
global industries including travel, trade, tourism, food production, and
finance;
Whereas loss of species can jeopardize important future
pharmaceutical discoveries, given that more than 1/4 of
all medicinal drugs possess active ingredients from wild species and that at
least 1/2 of the most prescribed medicines in the United
States are derived from natural compounds;
Whereas natural pollinators and the opportunities of wild
and domesticated crossbreeding are vital to world and United States
agriculture;
Whereas poverty aggravated by natural resource degradation
contributes to political instability, ethnic and sectarian conflict, and the
social conditions that can fuel increased violence and terrorism;
Whereas the extinction of plant and animal species raises
profound ethical questions, and many religious traditions call upon human
beings to act as good stewards of the Earth;
Whereas opportunities for sustainably managing natural
resources and conserving viable populations of species and their habitats
rapidly diminish every year;
Whereas a substantial body of academic and field research
has identified global strategies and market based approaches for better
managing natural resources and protecting biological diversity;
Whereas strategic large-scale and site-specific habitat
conservation could help to buffer the impacts of climate change on endangered
species and human communities;
Whereas an effective international conservation effort
that ensures the use of natural resources on a sustainable basis and prevents
the worst predicted extinction scenarios from unfolding will require commitment
and action from all nations; and
Whereas the United States traditional role in confronting
international challenges, protecting the environment, expanding opportunities
for people, and articulating a moral vision for global action gives the Nation
the opportunity to lead an international conservation effort: Now, therefore,
be it
That it is the sense of the Senate
that—
(1)the Government
should make full use of Federal laws, regulations and policies, diplomatic
agreements, and other appropriate mechanisms to—
(A)identify global
conservation goals that help ensure the sustainable use of natural resources
and protect biological diversity in terrestrial and marine environments of
developing countries;
(B)focus
international conservation efforts on natural areas that are important
biodiversity conservation priorities and for which there is a good likelihood
of success;
(C)raise the
international profile of the debate by putting the issue of rapidly declining
global biodiversity and poor natural resource management on the agenda of major
international decision-making bodies;
(D)work with other
donor nations to increase funding and other support for global conservation
strategies that focus on achieving each of the goals identified in
subparagraphs (A) through (C); and
(E)achieve
meaningful progress in the next 5 years toward the goals identified in
subparagraphs (A) through (C);
(2)the United States
should use diplomatic mechanisms, relevant international institutions and
agreements, and other appropriate mechanisms to lead other nations toward the
goals and actions identified in paragraph (1); and
(3)the efforts of
Federal agencies should reflect a recognition of the extreme urgency of the
problem and recognize that opportunities for increased conservation are rapidly
dwindling, by annually providing to the appropriate Committees of Congress
progress reports and action plans with regard to the goals and activities
identified in paragraphs (1) and (2).
September 23 (legislative day, September 17),
2008
Reported without amendment