I propose an Ecosystems and Biodiversity Act (EBA) to provide robust protection for ecosystems and biodiversity in all US bioregions, both on land and in our oceans. I believe Biden’s 30 X 30 Resolution is a very good start but that we need to go farther by legislating truly substantive ecosystem and biodiversity protection.

Earth’s complex ecosystems are the very safety-net all people depend upon. But because most institutions are primarily focused on short-term human interests, their planning and vision are narrow sighted. We need truly long-term protections in place to preserve intricate ecological processes. Nature is innately regenerative but human behavior is undermining its ability to adjust. The US can be an environmental leader by protecting all remaining species and safeguarding nature’s resilience.

Numerous unintended implementation gaps exist between and within our federal agencies. In 1973 the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was visionary. It has protected imperiled species and to some extent the habitats they depend on, but it was not developed to provide substantive protection for ecosystems. This means we constantly struggle to effectively protect our biodiversity. I believe we need to adopt a new legislative vehicle that includes robust implementation and accountability mechanisms to address the significant threats to our ecosystems and biodiversity.

A rigorous science-based, well-designed Ecosystems and Biodiversity Act (EBA) could go far to safeguard the habitats all species need in order to survive and even thrive in the face of climate change and our growing human population. The EBA would help America to achieve an ecosystem-approach to the recovery of threatened and endangered species. It would also help America to nurture ecological processes by identifying and protecting essential habitats and wildlife corridors. These “corridors” are a highly efficient and economical way to secure the greater genetic viability of many species.

The serious need for better ecosystems and biodiversity protection has been called for and reflected in scientific environmental literature as well as other environmental literature for over 30 years. So I propose we stop delaying.

The US needs an Ecosystems and Biodiversity Act (EBA) to protect all remaining species.

Please consider and spread this idea. Thank you.

Sincerely, Katy Belt

PS: After posting this idea I learned of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies. Their Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA) will be presented in the House of Representatives this March 10th. Please visit their site and considered taking action by sending the letters to your representatives:

NREPA

• This topic was modified 3 years, 2 months ago by MAHB Admin.
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• This topic was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by MAHB Admin.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by MAHB Admin.