What has happened lately?

The Governors have released their final draft regional climate plan, which is going to be final in September. This draft falls short on what's needed to address global warming and the impacts on the way of life in the West.

The western United States has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead the country in addressing the cause and effects of climate change. Their plan needs to be bold in tackling the sources of carbon pollution, and in investing in our communities and natural resources that are feeling the impacts of our flawed and dirty energy policies.

The Governors need to hear from you on making polluters pay for their right to pollute and using that money to invest in new technologies, new jobs, lower energy bills, and in protecting our land and water resources.

What are the impacts of global warming on the West?

Wildlife in the West is particularly vulnerable to global warming. We see:

• warmer temperatures and reduced snowpack in the Rockies, Cascade and Sierra Nevadas affecting salmon and trout populations
• pervasive drought is reducing forage levels and cover for big game and sage grouse
• warmer, drier conditions are increasing the levels of catastrophic wildfire.

View Investing in America’s Natural Resources, for more information on how global warming is impacting wildlife in the West and why dedicated funding is critical to protect our natural resources from the worst effects of global warming.

What is the Western Climate Initiative?

It is a group of governors and premiers from western American states and Canadian provinces who work together to identify, evaluate and implement collective and cooperative strategies to reduce greenhouse gases in the region in a way that best takes advantage of the unique culture, natural resources, and economies in the West.

Who are the members of the Western Climate Initiative?

• Arizona
• British Columbia
• California
• Manitoba
• Montana
• New Mexico
• Oregon
• Utah
• Washington

What is the role of the National Wildlife Federation?

National Wildlife Federation works with a strong coalition of organizations called the Western Climate Advocates Network (WeCAN). We work with the WCI partner states to help ensure that the final WCI plan actually curbs greenhouse gas emission by 15% by 2020 and that it directs funds generated by the cap and trade system to programs that help wildlife and local communities better survive the transition to a warmer, drier climate and an economy based much less on the burning of carbon fuels.