World Wildlife Fund Victories in 2008
It's easy to look at the state of the world, with a slumping economy and an environment teetering on the brink of destruction, and get a little (or a lot) depressed. But plenty of progress was made in 2008, and the World Wildlife Fund is reminding us of the many conservation victories in 2008:- Sumatran Elephant and Tiger Habitat Protected -- In August, Indonesia committed to doubling Tesso Nilo National Park, home to endangered Sumatran elephants and critically endangered Sumatran tigers
- Clean Energy Tax Incentives Extended -- Thanks to action by Congress in October, these incentives did not expire, and will support renewable energy projects.
- Illegal Logging Ban Enacted -- The US led the way with this important legislation, becoming the first country to ban the import and sale of illegally sourced wood and wood products. This helps endangered species, like orangutans, by preserving their habitats.
- New Funding Approved for Conservation on Farm and Ranch Lands -- This $300 billion bill was a mixed blessing, providing $4 billion in new funding to support conservation efforts, which was good. Unfortunately proposed grassland protections were significantly weakened in the final version.
- House Passes Great Cats and Rare Canids Act -- After several years of support from WWF members, in 2008 this Act made great progress by finally passing in the House of Representatives, as well as the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The Act will protects lions, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, Ethiopian wolves and African wild dogs.
- The Worlds Switches Their Lights Off for "Earth Hour 2008" -- 36 million Americans, and 50 million people around the world, turned off their lights for one hour on March 29, 2008.
- House Passes Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Act - A bill to provide funding to protect tropical forests and coral reefs through "debt-for-nature swaps" passed the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Tennessee Streams Safe From Pollution -- WWF and local activists defeated legislation that would have undermined the Clean Water Act and allowed widespread pollution of Tennessee streams.
If that's not enough to lift your spirits, you can go back and read about all of the progress the WWF has made since 1998. It is a long list, and will remind you that every little bit of conservation effort adds up to great things!
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