The wildlife you love can’t vote, but you can.
This election season, those of us who are concerned about conservation, who care about the quality of our air and water, who worry about climate change and who want to protect imperiled wildlife around the world and in our own backyards MUST make our voices heard at the ballot box.
There is a shocking disconnect between what the American public wants and what our elected officials do when it comes to conservation in this country. Poll after poll show that the people value our public lands and our natural heritage:
- 90% of Americans support the Endangered Species Act;
- 74% say that the federal government should be doing a substantial amount to combat climate change;
- 72% say that national public lands, like national forests and monuments, help their state economies; and
- 75% say that conservation issues should play an important role in whether to support an elected public official.
Many elected officials are ignoring this majority and catering to Big Oil and other extractive industries that want to see environmental regulations degraded. During this Congress, we’ve seen more than 125 legislative measures proposed that were meant to cripple the Endangered Species Act. Some were even slipped into must-pass budget bills!
This November 8th, we can’t afford to stay home. Be a conservation voter. And encourage your family and friends to do the same. Volunteer for candidates that have the same values as you do and help them represent the majority of Americans who care about our precious natural resources and the wildlife legacy we leave for future generations.
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Not registered to vote? Deadlines are coming up fast. Visit vote.org and make a difference.
Sincerely,
Jamie Rappaport Clark
Author: Jamie Rappaport Clark
Jamie is the president of Defenders of Wildlife a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities.
