Nation’s tribes ask Congress for climate legislation
By Staff Reports
WASHINGTON – Tribal leaders from around the country recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to press senators and representatives for support of federal climate legislation in 2009.
Historically, tribal communities have borne the brunt of negative environmental impacts generated primarily by non-tribal activities and are recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change as disproportionately impacted by the effects of global warming.
To fight global warming and preserve their ways of life, America’s tribal governments called for national legislation that results in mandatory reductions in climate change pollution, the development of renewable energy sources within a timeframe that prevents irreversible harm to public health, the economy and the environment and includes dedicated funding for fish and wildlife conservation and restoration.
The tribes also called for legislation that supports tribal efforts to lessen climate change impacts on tribal communities, lands and natural resources, cultural traditions and provides tribes with equal access to economic development opportunities presented by renewable energy development, energy efficiency, carbon trading mechanisms and other mitigation strategies.