WWF Government Relations and Policy News http://www.worldwildlife.org/ The latest government relations and policy news from WWF. Fri, 06 JUN 2008 17:00:00 EDT en-us Wildlife Postage Stamp Bill Approved by U.S. Senate http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem17547.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem17547.html Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST The U.S. Senate on Friday passed a bipartisan bill that would establish a new postage stamp, the proceeds of which would fund species conservation efforts.  World Wildlife Fund first proposed such a stamp in 2000 and creation of the program has been a priority for WWF for the past 10 years. WWF Hails Passage of House Bill Responding to Gulf Oil Disaster http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem17546.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem17546.html Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST The US House of Representatives today passed legislation that would reform the nation’s laws pertaining to offshore oil and gas development and provide additional safeguards to protect and restore our nation’s marine and coastal communities and resources.  World Wildlife Fund officials welcomed the bill as a much needed step to respond to the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Statement on Climate Bill in Senate http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem17507.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem17507.html Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST Today supporters of clean energy and climate legislation released the following statement on the Senate’s failure to address a clean energy and climate policy. Big Win For The Arctic – New Drilling Put On Hold http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem16470.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem16470.html Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 EST President Obama today announced that new exploratory drilling off the coast of Alaska that was set to begin as soon as July 1 has been put on hold until at least 2011. Shell Oil Unable to Assure Safety of Arctic Drilling; Proposal is “Imagineering, Not Engineering,” Says Former Shell Official http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem16367.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem16367.html Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 EST Two engineers with extensive experience in the oil industry said on Capitol Hill today that Shell Oil’s plans to begin drilling off the coast of Alaska in less than six weeks are fraught with risks that have not been adequately addressed by the company.  WWF Calls on President, Congress for Leadership in Passing Climate and Energy Legislation http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem16252.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem16252.html Wed, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 EST World Wildlife Fund issued the following statement today from CEO Carter Roberts concerning the public release of draft clean energy and climate legislation in the US Senate. All Drilling Must Be Halted in Arctic Pending Full Investigation of Gulf of Mexico Blowout, Says WWF http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem16138.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem16138.html Tue, 04 May 2010 00:00:00 EST As thousands of barrels of oil continue to gush into the Gulf of Mexico, World Wildlife Fund officials today urged the Obama Administration to put a hold on exploratory drilling that is scheduled to begin in the Arctic on July 1 until the cause of the ongoing catastrophe has been identified and new safeguards have been put in place. Gulf Oil Spill Crisis Highlights Need For Safer, Cleaner Energy Sources, Says WWF http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem16126.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem16126.html Mon, 03 May 2010 00:00:00 EST World Wildlife Fund officials said today that the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which could cripple the region’s seafood industry and destroy the habitats of hundreds of bird and water species, underlines the need for the world to move strongly towards safer, cleaner energy sources of energy.  As Oil Spill Crisis Worsens in Gulf of Mexico, WWF Renews Call to Halt Oil, Gas Development in Arctic http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem16103.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem16103.html Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST The following statement was issued today by World Wildlife Fund’s Vice President for Arctic and Marine Policy William M. Eichbaum regarding the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico: WWF Applauds Department Decision to Protect Bristol Bay from Offshore Drilling http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15846.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15846.html Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST World Wildlife Fund (WWF) praises Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar’s decision today to remove Bristol Bay from the Bush Administration’s five-year offshore oil-and-gas leasing plan.  WWF now calls for permanent protection of this environmentally and economically important place and for the Obama Administration to hold off approving any additional drilling in the already fragile American Arctic until adequate safeguards are in place. WWF and TRAFFIC: Marine Species Get a Raw Deal at CITES Wildlife Convention http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15792.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15792.html Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST World Wildlife Fund and TRAFFIC called on nations to focus on science instead of politics as marine species emerged the big losers from a United Nations conference on endangered species trade that ended today. Proposals to better protect marine species such as the Atlantic bluefin tuna, corals and several shark species were repeatedly rejected at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which meets once every three years. WWF and TRAFFIC: Sharks Take a Beating as CITES Turns Down Most Bids to Reel In Shark Overfishing http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15761.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15761.html Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST Sharks got little respect today as governments at a United Nations meeting on wildlife trade voted against stronger international trade controls for five shark species, which are in severe decline because of overfishing for their high-value fins and meat.  CITES Throws a Lifeline to Rhinos Amid Global Poaching Crisis http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15734.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15734.html Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST World Wildlife Fund (WWF) welcomed new protections for rhinos around the world – which are suffering a major upsurge in poaching –  in a new decree issued today during the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meeting. WWF and TRAFFIC: Ivory Sales Proposal Fails at CITES Meeting http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15756.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15756.html Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST Requests from Zambia and Tanzania to hold one-off sales of their ivory stockpiles failed during a United Nations species trade meeting today that comes during a worldwide poaching crisis. Compromise on Tigers, Big Loss for Corals at Wildlife Trade Conference http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15742.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15742.html Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST World Wildlife Fund (WWF) welcomed improvements over trade in tigers and other Asian big cat species at a United Nations meeting on wildlife trade but was disappointed that overharvested red and pink corals – which are heavily imported into the US -- were not given the highest protection. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Trade Ban Fails http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15713.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15713.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST World Wildlife Fund is dismayed that discussion of a long-awaited proposal to ban international commercial trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna was cut short today at the world’s largest wildlife trade convention when an immediate vote was pushed through. Chinese medicine societies reject tiger bones ahead of CITES conference http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15670.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15670.html Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST WWF and TRAFFIC welcome a World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) statement urging its members not to use tiger bone or any other parts from endangered wildlife. World Wildlife Fund Welcomes US Support for International Trade Ban on Atlantic Bluefin Tuna http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15463.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2010/WWFPresitem15463.html Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST World Wildlife Fund (WWF) officials said they welcomed today’s announcement that the United States government will vote for a ban on international commercial trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna during the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the world’s largest wildlife trade meeting which takes place later this month. Wildlife Conservation Needs More Funding And Cooperation, WWF's Carter Roberts Tells Congress http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem13121.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem13121.html Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST Illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, and a multitude of other threats are pushing some species – such as tigers, elephants and turtles -- to the brink of extinction, World Wildlife Fund CEO Carter Roberts told Congress today. He urged greater cooperation between government agencies, a commitment to saving wild species in their natural habitats and increased funding for biodiversity conservation. Press Release - Launch of New Initiative in Mexico http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem12600.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem12600.html Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST WWF, along with the Fundación Carlos Slim and the Mexican Federal Government, today launched an initiative that aims to establish Mexico as a global model for conservation by protecting its rich natural heritage and promoting sustainable development within six priority regions that collectively represent 30 percent of the country. Critical Climate Bill Clears House Committee; WWF Praises Landmark Vote http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem12451.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem12451.html Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 EST Lou Leonard, Director of U.S. Climate Policy for World Wildlife Fund, today praised passage of HR 2454, the American Clean Energy Security Act, by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  Passage of the bill marks the first time climate change legislation has cleared a House committee.  House leaders have said they expect the legislation to be voted on later this summer.  World Wildlife Fund Statement on the American Clean Energy and Security Act http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem12397.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem12397.html Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 EST World Wildlife Fund issued the following statement from President and CEO Carter S. Roberts on the revised American Clean Energy and Security Act resulting from negotiations led by House Energy Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Edward Markey (D-MA). WWF-Backed Wildlife Protection Bill Clears U.S. House http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem12161.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem12161.html Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST World Wildlife Fund officials praised passage in the House of Representatives of legislation that would offer greater protections for endangered and iconic cat and dog species, including leopards, cheetahs and African wild dogs.  WWF Praises U.S. Opening Speech at Bonn Climate Talks http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem11988.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem11988.html Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST To the cheers of the global community, the Obama administration today announced that the U.S. will assume a constructive leadership role in the negotiations underway on a new global climate deal. Much heavy lifting remains, however, and the world is watching to see if the US Congress will deliver on strong climate action and empower the Obama administration to have a stronger negotiating position in the international climate talks, said World Wildlife Fund officials. Bipartisan Earth Hour Resolution Introduced in Congress http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem11984.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem11984.html Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST U.S. Representatives Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) and John Barrow (D-Ga.) have introduced a congressional resolution that recognizes the power of Earth Hour to mobilize public opinion on the critical issue of climate change and affirms Congress’s support of the unprecedented global event. Arctic Governments And Industry Still Unprepared For Oil Spills 20 Years After Exxon Valdez, WWF Says http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem11925.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem11925.html Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST Two decades after the Exxon Valdez oil spill devastated a vast stretch of the Alaskan coast, governments and industry in the Arctic would be unable to effectively manage a large oil spill, according to a new report by World Wildlife Fund. As the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez spill approaches on March 24, WWF renewed its call for a time-out on new offshore oil development in the Arctic until technologies improve to ensure adequate clean-up of an oil spill. WWF is also calling on the Obama Administration to permanently protect Alaska’s fish-rich Bristol Bay from drilling. WWF Urges Presidents of US, Brazil to Add Climate Change, Deforestation to Agenda for Weekend Meeting http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem11876.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem11876.html Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST On the eve of this weekend’s meeting between US President Barack Obama and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, World Wildlife Fund issued a call for the two leaders to include climate change – specifically the role of deforestation – in their agenda.  Today: Guyana President to Join WWF CEO at Hill Briefing on Impact of Tropical Deforestation on Climate Change http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem11824.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem11824.html Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo, the President of Guyana, will join World Wildlife Fund CEO Carter Roberts and other dignitaries at a Capitol Hill briefing today on the role of tropical deforestation in climate change. WWF Official Nominated for Deputy Interior Secretary http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem11317.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem11317.html Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar yesterday announced that David Hayes, a senior fellow at World Wildlife Fund (WWF), is being nominated for Deputy Secretary of the Interior, a post Hayes held during the Clinton Administration under then-Interior Secretary and current WWF Chairman Bruce Babbitt.  WWF: Bush Arctic Policy Should Be Obama's Starting Point, Not End Point http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem11267.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem11267.html Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST World Wildlife Fund (WWF) officials today called on the incoming Obama Administration to use the Arctic policy directive issued Friday by President Bush as a starting point to revamp, reorient and strengthen US policy in the Arctic region, particularly in the areas of oil and gas development, governance and climate change.  Massive Coral Bleaching Could Decimate SE Asia’s Coral Triangle this Winter http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2008/WWFPresitem11123.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2008/WWFPresitem11123.html Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST Potentially widespread and severe coral bleaching is predicted this winter, which could cause immense damage to some of the world’s most important marine environments including the Coral Triangle of SE Asia and the Western Pacific, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) warns. Midnight Rule Changes By Bush Administration Will Undermine Endangered Species Protections, Says WWF http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2008/WWFPresitem11028.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2008/WWFPresitem11028.html Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST In its final days in office, the Bush Administration has announced two substantial rule changes that would seriously undermine the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), specifically gutting key protections for polar bears, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) officials said today. WWF CEO Praises President-Elect Obama For Remarks At Governors Global Climate Summit http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2008/WWFPresitem10705.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2008/WWFPresitem10705.html Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST World Wildlife Fund (WWF) CEO Carter Roberts praised President-elect Barack Obama for his remarks today before the Governors’ Global Climate Summit being held in Los Angeles.  WWF Congratulates President-Elect Obama http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2008/WWFPresitem10500.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2008/WWFPresitem10500.html Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST Carter Roberts, CEO of World Wildlife Fund (WWF), issued the following statement tonight following the election of Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) as President of the United States. WWF Provides Presidential Candidates Roadmap to a Safer, Sustainable Future http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2008/WWFPresitem10320.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2008/WWFPresitem10320.html Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST On the day of the third and final presidential debate, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has publicly released its “Greenprint” agenda – a policy roadmap for the next administration to address global threats to environmental, social and political stability in four key areas: climate change, conservation of natural resources, food security and freshwater availability.  The WWF Greenprint highlights how these challenges are intertwined, and how they can – and should – be solved by the next President. WWF Applauds US Senate Committee Approval of Landmark Climate Change Legislation http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2007/WWFPresitem1883.html http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2007/WWFPresitem1883.html Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST Bali, Indonesia – Officials with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said landmark climate change legislation sent to the floor of the US Senate by the Environment and Public Works Committee this week will help put the US on the path towards meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.