Lawmakers renew call for biodiversity strategy

January 29, 2021

Several Western Democrats yesterday reintroduced a nonbinding House resolution calling for the drafting of a National Biodiversity Strategy.

Citing an "unprecedented biodiversity crisis," Reps. Joe Neguse of Colorado and Alan Lowenthal and Jared Huffman of California cast their resolution as a "road map for establishing a robust, whole-of-government approach" to protecting ecosystems.

"The decline of biodiversity presents a direct threat to the security, health and well-being of our communities and our planet," Neguse said.

The House resolution envisions a strategy "developed through an interagency process" kicked off by President Biden through an executive order. Federal agencies would be encouraged to "pursue a full range of actions within existing laws" and to consider new ones.

The new resolution, still unnumbered as of yesterday afternoon, follows the original introduced late in the last Congress as H.Res. 1247.

Jamie Rappaport Clark, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, said that "by establishing a National Biodiversity Strategy, needed now more than ever, we can focus our commitment to addressing wildlife and habitat loss and tackling species extinction."


By:  Michael Doyle
Source: E&E News