Protecting Natural Resources in the Face of Global Warming

Derek BrockbankDerek BrockbankNational Wildlife FederationNational Wildlife FederationSeptember 11, 2008September 11, 2008

Global Climate Change and the Global Climate Change and the Great LakesGreat Lakes

Invasive Invasive Species Species

PhragmitesZebra Mussels

Declining Water LevelsDeclining Water Levels

Heavier rainfall Heavier rainfall Run-off Run-off Water Water contaminationcontamination

Hunting and Angling in MichiganHunting and Angling in Michigan

Participants Expenditures Jobs

Angling 34,071,000 $35.6 Billion 1,068,046

Hunting 13,034,000 $20.6 Billion 575,368

Hunting and Angling inHunting and Angling inthe United Statesthe United States

Participants Expenditures Jobs

Angling 1,354,000 $838.6 Million 21,301

Hunting 754,000 $490.3 Million 12,144

Source: 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation

Unprecedented Threat Unprecedented Threat Needs...Needs...

...An Unprecedented ...An Unprecedented InvestmentInvestment

How about $7 billion per year How about $7 billion per year for Natural Resources?for Natural Resources?

• Yes, that’s $7,000,000,000 per year.

• How?

• Global Warming Legislation.

How the Climate Security Act How the Climate Security Act Protects Natural ResourcesProtects Natural Resources

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Decline 2% Annually

• Provides Funding and Policy Direction for Natural Resource Agencies to Protect and Restore resources threatened from global warming

Investment in Natural ResourcesInvestment in Natural Resources

In the Climate Security Act:

• Unprecedented Funding for Key Agencies: $137B Through 2030 ($4B to $13B annually)

• Not Dependent on Annual Appropriations

• 7 Percent of Total Allowance Value

MI DNR

The Natural Resource Title inThe Natural Resource Title in Climate Security ActClimate Security Act

35% - State and territorial fish and wildlife agencies

1% - Tribal fish and wildlife agencies 5% - EPA 5% - Forest Service

5% - Department of the Interior (Cooperative grants programs)

10% - NOAA

10% - Army Corps of Engineers

10% - Land and Water Conservation Fund*

19% - Department of the Interior(Wildlife programs, federal lands and waters under DOI’s jurisdiction)

LWCF – 10% or $900 million, whichever is less. If the 10 percent share exceeds $900M, the excess will be distributed pro rata to other agencies using the bill’s allocation formula.

New Bills:New Bills:

Rep. John Dingell

Chair of Energy and Commerce Committee

Rep. Lloyd Doggett

Ways and Means Committee

Looking ahead to 2009...Looking ahead to 2009...

• New President – will Obama and/or McCain support Natural Resource investment?

• Bills in House and Senate – who will write them?

• Regional Bills –Midwestern Governor’s Initiative?

Key Challenges in the Campaign to Key Challenges in the Campaign to Secure Large-Scale Dedicated FundingSecure Large-Scale Dedicated Funding Lack of Awareness and Lack of Awareness and

EngagementEngagement by Key Constituencies

No ConsensusNo Consensus on What Adaptation Looks Like (or Costs)

CompetitionCompetition From Tax Cuts and Consumer Rebates

CompetitionCompetition From Other Legitimate Claimants

Michael Durham

Historic Opportunity to Secure Historic Opportunity to Secure Large-Scale Dedicated FundingLarge-Scale Dedicated Funding

in Next 2 Years in Next 2 Years

Key Elements of Campaign:Key Elements of Campaign: Craft Agenda for New Craft Agenda for New

Administration and CongressAdministration and Congress Develop Models at Develop Models at

State/Regional LevelsState/Regional Levels Massive Outreach & Massive Outreach &

Engagement Engagement Sophisticated CommunicationsSophisticated Communications Reinvent Conservation!Reinvent Conservation!