FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2009
Contact David Eisenhauer 703/358 2284
Public Comment Period for FWS Climate Strategy Extended Through Nov. 30
As part of the Department of the Interior's commitment to building a coordinated strategy to respond to the impacts of climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.
Learn more about climate change on the nation's natural resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a proposed strategic plan that will guide the agency's efforts to respond to the unprecedented threat posed by global warming. The proposed strategic plan is available for public review and comment through Nov. 30.
The proposed strategic plan will help guide the Service's response to impacts such as changing wildlife migration patterns, the spread of invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species , changing precipitation patterns and rising sea levels.
The plan has three key elements:
Adaptation -- helping to reduce the impacts of climate change on fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats;
Mitigation -- reducing levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gas pollution in the Earth's atmosphere; and
Engagement -- reaching out to Service employees, local, national and international partners in the public and private sectors, key constituencies and stakeholders and the broader citizenry of this country to join forces and seek solutions to the challenges to fish and wildlife conservation posed by climate change.
To view and comment on the strategy, visit http://www.fws.gov/home/climatechange/strategic_plan.html
For more information on how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve the nature of America in a changing climate, visit www.fws.gov/home/climatechange
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