[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 62 (Thursday, April 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E721]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF THE 
                   INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF BIODIVERSITY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 29, 2010

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, today I have introduced a resolution to 
support the goals and ideas of the International Year of Biodiversity 
and to recognize the importance of biodiversity to ecosystems and human 
well-being. As our understanding of the interactions between humans and 
the environment grows, it has never been more evident and is highly 
dependent on our natural resources for the ecological goods, services 
and raw materials that underpin our economies, provide for our well-
being, and are functional to many cultures. And accordingly, many of 
the goods and services on which we depend, both directly and 
indirectly, are supported by Earth's rich biodiversity.
  Biodiversity describes the variety of plant and animal life on earth, 
the places they inhabit, and the interactions between them. Today 
scientists have identified over 1.7 million species and have estimated 
that at least 13 million are in existence. Biodiversity allows 
ecosystems to be resilient in the face of change, which is critical to 
consider as we move toward a world where increasing population, 
economic growth, and unpredictable climate will place additional 
pressures on our natural resources.
  This resolution to support the goals and ideals of the International 
Year of biodiversity which I have introduced today, recognizes the 
environmental and societal value of diversity and the urgent need to 
protect this precious global heritage.
  Globally, 35 percent of mangrove swamps have been removed, 40 percent 
of been cut down, 50 percent of freshwater wetlands have been lost, and 
20 percent of coral reefs have been destroyed. While some of these 
losses might be restored in the future, regrettably many species and 
habitats, once lost, are gone forever. Moreover, the current pace of 
habitat loss is rapid, as more natural areas are altered or removed to 
provide for agriculture and aquaculture production, housing and urban 
industry and recreation. In my home territory of Guam, we are 
particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including increasing 
sea temperature, ocean acidification, and sea level rise, which 
threaten biodiversity within marine habitats. International and 
domestic conservation strategies are necessary to prevent the 
unfettered loss of critical areas of biodiversity, in Guam and 
globally, to ensure that ecosystem goods and services--such as shore 
protection and sustainable fisheries--are provided future generations.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle to advance this important resolution to reaffirm the United 
States' global leadership and longstanding commitment to the 
preservation and conservation of Earth's biodiversity, and to raise 
awareness about biodiversity's important role in supporting ecological 
and human well-being across the world.

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