Dear NRDC Activist,

From vaquita porpoises in Mexico to two-toed sloths in Panama to whale sharks in the Philippines to African elephants in Namibia, our planet’s biodiversity is extraordinary — and essential for our food systems, climate, air, and water.

Yet human activity — including the killing of imperiled wildlife for profit through international trade — remains the biggest threat to species survival.

In three days, countries from around the world will meet under CITES, the global treaty that regulates international trade in endangered species. They’ll vote on whether to strengthen — or weaken — protections for hundreds of at-risk species.

Help save our planet’s most vulnerable wildlife from extinction: Tell the U.S. delegation to support global bans on profit-driven international trade in endangered species.

What’s at stake?
One million species are threatened with extinction, many within mere decades, and ecosystem collapse is accelerating. The killing and trafficking of wild species is one of the leading drivers of biodiversity loss worldwide.

This window in time is critical for protecting wildlife and the healthy ecosystems people rely on for food, clean air, drinking water, and so much more. Tell the United States to support measures to protect our incredible biodiversity.

What is CITES?
CITES — the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species — is a legally binding treaty that prevents wild animals and plants from being traded across borders in ways that threaten their survival.

The United States was the first country to ratify the treaty in 1974. Today, 184 countries and the European Union protect more than 40,000 species under CITES, meeting every 3 years to vote on new safeguards.

The United States led the way for the original treaty, and we must continue to show we are a reliable partner in the protection of our planet’s biodiversity. Add your name to our petition urging the U.S. delegation to vote for strong protections for endangered wildlife around the world.

Why does CITES matter?
Decisions made at this conference are binding and must be implemented through national laws. Countries that fail to comply can face costly trade sanctions.

Species up for stronger protections include oceanic whitetip sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, and gazelles. But some nations are pushing to weaken protections for giraffes, rhinos, and African elephants — risking a dangerous backslide that could reopen trade and fuel poaching.

We can’t lose lifesaving protections for some of our planet’s most imperiled wildlife!

Sign the petition telling the U.S. delegation to support strong protections for species most at risk of exploitation.

And you can be sure we’ll be counting on you to take future actions to make sure the United States follows through on their commitments to protect global biodiversity.

What is NRDC doing?
NRDC helps advance conservation-focused proposals, providing legal and scientific research, and helping ensure strong enforcement. Our wildlife team will be on the ground at the World Wildlife Conference, supporting countries in adopting the strongest possible protections to defend our planet’s most vulnerable wildlife and ensuring compliance and enforcement.

For example, we’re playing a major role in securing and enforcing CITES protections for the vaquita porpoise — the world’s most endangered marine mammal with only around 10 left — by pushing for strict measures to stop illegal totoaba fish trade in Mexico, the U.S., and China. The gillnets used to illegally capture the totoaba also ensnare vaquitas, putting them at grave risk.

And closer to home, NRDC is leading the fight to protect the Endangered Species Act (ESA) from Trump administration attacks. The administration has issued a slew of proposals to make it easier for polluters to destroy wildlife habitat.

NRDC, along with members like you, can help shape proposals and hold countries accountable — including the U.S. Sign our petition urging the United States to support proposals that hold countries around the world accountable for overexploitation and illegal trading — for the sake of wildlife survival.

Sincerely,

Zak Smith
Director, Global Biodiversity Conservation, International, NRDC