Dear John,
2024 is shaping up to be a pivotal year in protecting our planet for future generations. As we start the new year, we wanted to share important updates about conservation policies that WWF is advocating for in Congress and the executive branch, including:
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Reducing Plastic Waste
WWF is planning a steady drumbeat of action this year to urge leaders to enact policies that reduce plastic waste. Global leaders and federal and state level governments all have a role to play in stopping the flow of millions of tons of plastic into our environment.
Globally, recent negotiations showed that most countries want a legally binding treaty, but more progress is needed. In April, WWF will be advocating for a robust treaty that addresses the entire lifespan of plastic and more global rules at the next round of talks in Ottawa. More than 2 million WWF activists to date have signed a petition calling for an ambitious treaty from global leaders.
At home, WWF is working with the White House, Congress, and state governments for strong policies such as Extended Producer Responsibility. |
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Investing in Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Reversing nature loss amid a warming climate will require substantial resources to meet the growing challenges we face. Congress can start by renewing existing successful conservation programs. Committees in the House and Senate have advanced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Multinational Species Conservation Funds at the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), which support efforts to protect elephants, rhinos, tigers, great apes, and marine turtles in the wild. The bills would renew these popular programs, which expired in 2023, for an additional five years.
WWF is also advocating for a bipartisan bill that would create a new entity called the US Foundation for International Conservation to unlock additional resources for nature preservation. It would authorize up to $100 million a year to support effective management of protected and conserved areas around the world through public-private partnerships—including helping local communities better manage their wildlife and natural resources.
These important conservation initiatives can only move forward if lawmakers provide the necessary funding. Congress faces two deadlines on January 19 and February 2 to keep the government funded, including a strong conservation budget. Lawmakers should ensure that funding for wildlife conservation projects around the globe through agencies like USAID and USFWS remains robust with no costly interruptions from a government shutdown. |
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Stopping Illegal Deforestation The House and Senate reintroduced the landmark Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade (FOREST) Act in December with strong support from WWF. This bipartisan bill would stop imports of agricultural products linked to illegal deforestation, removing this illegality from the cattle, palm oil, rubber, and cocoa products we use and consume every day.
Halting illegal deforestation and nature loss is essential to protecting people and wild places, tackling international crime, and addressing the climate crisis. The bill would bring responsible businesses, governments, and civil society together to halt one of the most pressing threats we face.
New York made history last summer by passing bipartisan legislation that would prevent the state from buying products that contribute to tropical deforestation. We were disappointed that the New York Tropical Deforestation-Free Procurement Act ultimately did not become law in 2023 but look forward to supporting state leaders on this issue this year. |
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Renewing the Farm Bill Lawmakers recently extended the farm and agricultural programs which shape the nation's food production through September 2024. As lawmakers continue negotiations on renewing a full five-year Farm Bill, WWF will continue advocating for our key priorities including safeguarding the more than $20 billion investment in climate-smart agriculture and forestry provided by the Inflation Reduction Act; establishing strong provisions to address food loss and waste; halting the loss of grasslands, forests, and other critical ecosystems; and promoting regenerative agriculture practices to restore the health of local communities, wildlife, and landscapes.
This year's Farm Bill is particularly critical to advance sustainable agriculture policies that address growing threats from nature loss and climate change. Globally, food systems account for about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions and are a leading cause of deforestation and nature loss. |
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Protecting Our Oceans Establishing safeguards on oil and gas development is critical for protecting marine life. WWF supports the Arctic Refuge Protection Act, which would permanently prohibit any new oil and gas development in the Arctic Refuge that is home to Indigenous communities and the nation's largest national wildlife refuge. WWF has been engaging members of Congress to secure more cosponsors, which have now reached a total of 100 across both the House and Senate. The Biden Administration's decision to cancel oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge this past September was a major step in the right direction.
We'll keep you updated as we continue to do this important work over the coming months. Thank you for helping us advance these critical policies to protect our planet. |
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Sincerely,
Sara Thomas
WWF Action Team
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Photos: A whale shark and floating plastic bag © Steve De Neef / National Geographic Creative; Herd of elephants © Martin Harvey / WWF; Deforestation in Amazon rainforest © Greg Armfield / WWF-UK; Cow in grasslands, Montana © Rab Cummings / WWF-US; Arctic National Wildlife Refuge © Peter Mather |
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