"Environmental Defense is a very important organization. We rely on them to a great extent, not only for help in lobbying, but in providing us with the information that we need." —Senator John McCain
Global Warming
When someone asks you to help save the world, they're almost always exaggerating. But if you listen to what scientists are saying about global warming lately, you might just feel like slipping into your Superman costume.
The first thing you need to know is that we can still stop it. But we've got to act fast.
The hard evidence from satellite photos, scientific studies, and atmospheric samples suggests we've got to start cutting carbon pollution within 10 years, if we don't want things to spin out of control. If we don't, we'll see more of what's already happening around us: more deadly heat waves, more severe droughts and more intense hurricanes.
What's happening is that as we burn oil and coal, the carbon dioxide pollution builds up in the atmosphere and traps heat. That's throwing off the whole climate system of the planet.
So we at Environmental Defense are working to reduce the world's use of oil and coal, and encourage people to use cleaner fuels and more efficient technologies.
We're working with innovative businesses like FedEx Express, the world's largest express transportation company, to make that happen. Together, we developed a dramatically cleaner delivery truck that goes 57% further on each gallon of gas, reducing global warming pollution, as well as oil dependency, fueling costs and air pollution. The first set of the new hybrid-electric trucks has already hit the roads.
Environmental Defense is also working with legislative leaders to change America's national policies. Together, we are working toward a national limit on global warming pollution, coupled with economic incentives for American industry to unleash the new energy economy that will ultimately solve the problem.
Why Environmental Defense?
"Finding the ways that work." That's the Environmental Defense motto, and it's the practical, science-based approach that sets us apart.
We take an uncommon approach to environmental advocacy: showing how economic growth and a healthy planet can go hand in hand.
With more Ph.D. scientists and economists than any similar group, we don't just point out problems. We create solutions.
It's one of the reasons we've been successful working with politicians from all sides, as well as business leaders, ranchers, farmers, fishermen, and local communities to find workable solutions to the world's biggest environmental problems. Now, we're putting that expertise to work to win the fight against global warming.
What You Can Do
As the old proverb says: "The journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step." You can take that step now on behalf of the environment—tell Congress we need action now. Join the thousands of Americans calling on our political leaders to stop talking and start fighting global warming. Send an email to your U.S. senators and representative.
We'd also be honored if you would take the next step and make a generous donation in support of our Fight Global Warming campaign. With your help, we will enlist mainstream America in the effort to better conserve energy and cut emissions. In Washington, we will work the halls of Congress until our national leaders take meaningful action to cap our global warming pollution.
By adding first your voice then your generous donation to our campaign, you will be joining a movement to change the course of history—to save this planet from the worst consequences of global warming. We have the technology and the tools we need to fight global warming—all we need now is public support and the political will to act.
About Environmental Defense
Environmental Defense was started over 35 years ago after a small group of scientists fought and won a battle against the pesticide DDT. With a staff of more than 300 people and an annual budget over $50 million, Environmental Defense leads the way in the fight to save our planet.
Our four main focuses include:
Some Notable Environmental Defense Victories:
1967: A small group of scientists incorporates our organization as the Environmental Defense Fund after winning a battle against the pesticide DDT.
1970: We help bring all hunted whales onto the U.S. endangered species list.
1985: We convince federal regulators to phase lead out of gasoline.
1990: The new Clean Air Act incorporates our innovative market-based methods to cut air pollution, leading to less acid rain.
1991: McDonald's accepts the recommendations of our joint task force, eliminating a cumulative total of more than 150,000 tons of packaging waste.
1996: We help the Panará Indians of Brazil win protection for their homeland, protecting 1.2 million acres of Amazonian rainforest from deforestation.
2000: Environmental Defense partners with eight leading companies to cut global warming pollution.
2001: Environmental Defense empowers nearly 1 million individuals to take action globally and in their own communities through its ActionNetwork.org web site, and provides detailed environmental information for every Zip code in America on its Scorecard.org web site.
2002: We encourage New York Governor George Pataki to sign an executive order requiring diesel-powered equipment at the World Trade Center reconstruction site use clean fuel technologies to reduce pollutants in Lower Manhattan. Within several months, this requirement spreads throughout all of New York City and becomes a model for other localities as well.
2003: With our backing, in part through the launch of the Global Warming: Undo It campaign, the bipartisan Climate Stewardship Act (sponsored by Senators John McCain and Joseph Lieberman) wins unexpectedly strong support from 43 senators on its first vote in the Senate. This strong showing marks a shift in political momentum on global warming in the United States.
2004: FedEx Express's new hybrid electric delivery trucks, spurred by Environmental Defense and developed by Eaton Corporation, take to the streets in Sacramento, New York City and Tampa, Florida. The trucks, which reduce emissions by up to 90% and cut fuel use some 57%.
2005: Ranchers, farmers and other private landowners enroll more than 3 million acres in Safe Harbor programs Environmental Defense developed to protect endangered wildlife.
2006: In partnership with us, two leading food companies, Wegmans Food Markets and Bon Appétit Management Company, unveil a purchasing policy for farm-raised salmon that requires suppliers to meet tough health and environmental standards.
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