WWF Board of Directors calls upon Senate to issue Clear Bipartisan Blueprint for Action on Climate Change

In an open letter published today (19 November 2009) on a full page of the Washington Post, members of WWF's current and past Boards of Directors call for "a clear bipartisan blueprint from the Senate prior to Copenhagen, followed by final passage of legislation early next year," saying that it is "vital to securing corresponding actions by other countries in a new global pact to head off the worst impacts of climate change. "

The signers include both Democrats and Republicans, all with a strong desire to avert the catastrophic climate impacts that threaten to undermine WWF’s nearly 50 years of science-based conservation around the globe.

The text of the letter and a list of signers follows; and also is available as a PDF file. We also include next to some of the signers' names links to video clips in which the individuals comment about the challenge of climate change and the need for action. The videos also are available here.

A Bipartisan Call for Climate Action

An Open Letter to Congress

For nearly 50 years, World Wildlife Fund has been committed to science-based conservation and guided by leadership that has included Republicans, Democrats and Independents. Focused on field conservation and market-based solutions to balance the needs of people and nature, WWF has largely stayed out of political fights on Capitol Hill. But today, our world faces a crisis that forces us off the sidelines and into the current debate.

Climate change is here. It is altering places we value and threatens to undermine our economy and unravel all that conservation has achieved over the past century. If unchecked, it will result in untold economic and ecological harm.

In a study initiated under the Bush administration, and released in June, a blue-ribbon panel of scientists details the damaging impacts already being felt in every region of the United States. At home and abroad, a rapidly changing climate threatens to irreversibly harm our farms, our forests and our freshwater supplies. These growing impacts will imperil our future unless we greatly reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases responsible for climate change.

As members of WWF’s current and prior Boards of Directors, we believe that strong bipartisan action on climate change is needed now. Beginning with the McCain-Lieberman bill in 2003, leadership on climate change has come from Democrats and Republicans working together, and we are heartened to see that tradition continuing today with Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman. But we have no time to waste.

A clear bipartisan blueprint from the Senate prior to Copenhagen, followed by final passage of legislation early next year, is vital to securing corresponding actions by other countries in a new global pact to head off the worst impacts of climate change.

For the sake of our children and grandchildren, we urge you in the strongest terms to send this clear signal to support a productive outcome in Copenhagen by framing legislation for the Senate now. The vote to pass climate change legislation will be one of the most important you will ever cast; the impact will be felt for generations.

The Honorable Russell E. Train
EPA Administrator, 1973-1977
Founder Chairman Emeritus, WWF

The Honorable William K. Reilly [video clip]
EPA Administrator, 1989-1993
Chairman Emeritus, WWF

The Honorable Bruce Babbitt [video clip]
Secretary of the Interior, 1993-2001
Former Chairman, WWF

Mr. Carter S. Roberts [video clip]
President and CEO, WWF

Mr. Roger W. Sant [video clip]
Chairman Emeritus, AES Corporation
Co-Chairman, WWF

Mr. Lawrence H. Linden
Retired General Partner, Goldman Sachs
Co-Chairman, WWF

Ms. Fabiola Arredondo
Managing Partner, Siempre Holdings

Mr. Edward p. Bass

Sir Peter Crane
Dean, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University

Dr. Brenda S. Davis [video clip]

Dr. Jared M. Diamond [video clip]
Author and Professor, Geography, UCLA

Ms. Pamela Ebsworth