** Conservation featured in committee's climate policy recommendations
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Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Beaver Creek Wild and Scenic River, Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])

Today, the U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis released a comprehensive report ([link removed]) laying out a framework for the United States to lead the fight ([link removed]) against climate change. Ranging from electrifying transportation to decarbonizing the industrial sector, the set of recommendations aims for an 88 percent reduction ([link removed]) in emissions by 2050.

The report includes conservation and public land management as key to addressing climate change, calling on the U.S. to adopt the goal of protecting 30 percent of America by 2030. "Despite the widespread and significant climate benefits of large landscape conservation, the United States is losing a football field’s worth of natural area every 30 seconds to human modification," the report states ([link removed]) . "To ensure the protection and restoration of... important habitat and natural spaces in order to maximize carbon sequestration and biodiversity benefits, the federal government should protect at least 30 percent of all U.S. lands and ocean areas by 2030."

Currently, 12 percent of lands are protected. Getting to 30 percent in the next decade will address climate change, safeguard biodiversity, and protect public health. New polling by the Center for Western Priorities ([link removed]) shows that 75 percent of voters in five key Western states—Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Nevada—support setting a national goal to conserve 30 percent of America’s lands and ocean areas by 2030 to help protect wildlife and open spaces for future generations.

Public lands are currently a significant source of carbon and methane emissions, adding up to nearly a quarter ([link removed].) of all U.S. emissions. The report includes requirements for the oil and gas industry to cut emissions and address methane leaks in drilling infrastructure and pipelines, as well as recommendations to eliminate unfair subsidies and assist traditionally oil, gas, and mining-dependent communities during economic transitions.
Quick hits


** Plan for border wall across San Pedro River finally released
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Arizona Daily Star ([link removed])


** Climate panel offers roadmap to solve the climate crisis
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New York Times ([link removed]) | Forbes ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | Roll Call ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis ([link removed])


** Senators, watchdog groups call for quick hearing on extremist nominee to run Bureau of Land Management
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Politico ([link removed])


** NASA is trying to use a historic designation to avoid $500m toxic cleanup
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Los Angeles Daily News ([link removed])


** Colorado officially adds newest park, helps rural economies
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Fox 31 Denver ([link removed]) | Denver Post ([link removed])


** The Great American Outdoors Act could give billions to national parks—here’s what you need to know
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Travel+Leisure ([link removed])


** Bennet, Udall: Congress needs to protect 30 percent of land and oceans by 2030
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Denver Post ([link removed])


** Opinion: Relocating the BLM headquarters has been an utter barn fire
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Quote of the day
In the West, we understand that a healthy economy and healthy communities depend on a healthy environment. Here and across the globe, nature gives us clean water, food, shelter, medicine, and economic opportunity. Today natural resources drive at least 40% of the global economy. As former Interior Secretary Stewart Udall often said: 'When we plan to protect air, water, wilderness and wildlife, we are in fact protecting ourselves.'”
—Senator Tom Udall and Senator Michael Bennet, Denver Post ([link removed])
Picture this


** @Interior ([link removed])
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Cradled in a sweeping turn of the Rio Grande, @BigBendNPS ([link removed]) is famous for its natural beauty & rich cultural history where visitors can enjoy wonderful moments under sunrises, sunsets & starry nights #Texas ([link removed])

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