Ladywriter 7,783 Report post Posted February 18, 2009 You can help protect coral reefs and tropical forests -- two of the most valuable and threatened ecosystems on the planet -- by urging your members of Congress to cosponsor the Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Act: http://wwf.worldwildlife.org/site/R?i=wbUOuL8Kd9lzRRDwvSFyDw.. After WWF supporters like you spoke out in huge numbers in support of the bill during the last Congress, it passed the full House and a key senate committee. But the measure needs to start its journey over again now that a new Congress is in place. Our hope is that the tremendous progress made in 2008 will help the bill move quickly in 2009. Help jumpstart the Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Act by showing your support for these beneficial habitats: http://wwf.worldwildlife.org/site/R?i=Bb_bm763cBGSNqRU8OIfcQ.. The bill would provide funding for debt-for-nature swaps that contribute to the protection of forests and coral reefs in qualified developing countries. Debt-for-nature swaps, which WWF helped pioneer in the 1980s, involve purchasing foreign debt at a discount, converting the debt into local currency, and using the proceeds to finance local conservation activities. It's an innovative technique that allows cash-strapped countries to protect globally important natural resources. An earlier version of the bill, aimed just at tropical forests, was enacted in 1998 and has been tremendously successful. Tens of millions of dollars have been channeled into these high biodiversity landscapes, protecting millions of acres and countless tropical forest species. WWF strongly supports expanding the legislation to include the protection of coral reefs. Reefs host a wide variety of vital sea species and are key to the health of the world's oceans, yet they face some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges -- from climate change to destructive fishing practices. Tell your congressional delegation that protecting tropical forests and coral reefs is important to you: http://wwf.worldwildlife.org/site/R?i=_ZgM3ArTR67Cs-oWieJ50A.. Please forward this message to others who are concerned about tropical forests and coral reefs: http://wwf.worldwildlife.org/site/R?i=zJH2lqWALfgQbIaSOPwngg.. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, Jessica McGlyn Senior Program Officer, Terrestrial Policy World Wildlife Fund Washington, D.C. Look at the flowers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
