Environment DEC
From the September 2009 issue
NWF Applauds Governor on Greenhouse Gas and Climate Change Efforts
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has lauded Governor Paterson for signing Executive Order No. 24, which sets a goal to reduce New York State's greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050. The order also calls for the creation of a climate action council to prepare a draft climate action plan by September 30, 2010, which will include measures for protecting the state's wildlife and natural resources from the effects of global warming.
Trout are very sensitive to even slight increases in water temperature.
A summit on "Safeguarding New York's Wildlife, Fish, and Natural Systems in a Changing Climate," attended by more than 200 people, discussed how the state can adapt to the impacts of climate change on natural resources. The meeting-led by Patricia Riexinger, Director of DEC's Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, along with the National Wildlife Federation and several other organizations-laid important groundwork for achieving the goals of the proposed climate action council.
Curtis Fisher, the NWF's Northeast Regional Director said, "Governor Paterson's leadership will create clean energy jobs, save individuals and businesses money on their energy bills, promote domestic security and reduce global warming pollution. The National Wildlife Federation commends the Governor for recognizing the need for a two-pronged approach to combating climate change. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, we must also develop strategies to safeguard the natural world from current and future impacts of global warming."
