November 2006: 5 Big Ideas for the Environment in 2007

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NOV '06 - IN THIS ISSUE Idea #1—Fight Global Warming AND Grow the Economy Idea #2—Work WITH Landowners to Protect Species Idea #3—Reward Conservation-Friendly Farming Idea #4—A Trust Fund for the Oceans Idea #5—Restore Wetlands for People AND Wildlife 85% Percentage of our online community who ranked global warming as a top priority in choosing a candidate last week. 74% Percentage of our online community who say that the chance of passing meaningful global warming legislation next year is no better than 50-50. a sassier shade of green Too chicken to decide on a turkey? Choose organic, humanely-raised turkeys this Thanksgiving. Let Ideal Bite show you what to look for and where to go for a Turkey Day to remember. Support Environmental Defense with a donation today. - Donate now. ACTION ALERT Five Big Environmental Ideas for 2007 2007 is shaping up as a critical year for progress on important environmental priorities. We've asked some of our program experts to weigh in and we've put together this list of FIVE BIG IDEAS for 2007. We've focused on national issues that could see action in Congress next year. This is not a comprehensive list, but reflects a cross-section of our work. After reading our list, tell us what you think. Vote for your favorite. VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE" src="http://img.getactivehub.com/an2/custom_images/EDF_Action_Network/EDN_ding.gif" border="0" hspace="5"> BIG IDEA #1 Fight Global Warming AND Grow the Economy Our Climate Change Policy Specialist, Melissa Carey, says 2007 is a critical year for national global warming action. "We can fight global warming the smart way or the hard way. We think the smart way forward is to cap global warming pollution and offer incentives to spur investment and innovation." Read more. BIG IDEA #2 Protecting Endangered Species by Working WITH Farmers and Landowners "What if instead of thinking of private property owners as antagonists in our efforts to protect endangered species, we worked constructively to partner with them?" That's the question that inspires our Land, Water and Wildlife Co-Director, Mary Kelly. Read more. BIG IDEA #3 Reward Farmers for Conservation-Friendly Farming "We all want cleaner water, cleaner air and healthier food choices," says Scott Faber, our Farm Policy Campaign Director. "One big way to get there? Provide more conservation funding for our farmers, tens of thousands of whom have been turned down for funding requests." Read more. BIG IDEA #4 A Trust Fund for the Oceans "The future of the oceans—and the food, resources and wildlife that come from the sea—depends on dramatic changes in the way we tackle a growing spectrum of challenges including a long-term investment commitment," says our Oceans Program Director, David Festa. "What if we developed a 'Trust Fund for the Oceans,' to bring together sustained funding for research, management and conservation efforts?" Read more. BIG IDEA #5 Protect Gulf Coast Communities AND Wildlife by Restoring Coastal Wetlands "The devastation of Hurricane Katrina exposed the danger of our misguided 'flood control' policies in the Mississippi Delta," says our Land, Water and Wildlife Senior Attorney, Tim Searchinger. "If we don't get this right by restoring coastal wetlands, the next major storm could be even worse." Read more.