Azul signs letter to president Biden in Support of #30X30
Washington, DC. –President Biden’s goal of conserving 30 percent of U.S. lands, ocean and water by 2030 established in Executive Order 14008 is considered the ‘bare minimum’ by scientists needed to save nature and buffer against the worst impacts of climate change.
On Tuesday, April 20, a diverse coalition of 342 groups sent a letter to President Biden supporting the conservation goal and detailing additional components they look forward to the administration addressing in pursuit of this goal. As part of Executive Order 14008, Tackling The Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, the President directed federal agencies to outline strategies for meeting the goal in a report scheduled to be delivered to the White House later this month.
Protecting 30 percent of US lands, ocean and water by 2030 is a part of the solution to address three major crises: the climate crises, inequitable access to nature and species loss, which are affecting quality of life, well-being and local communities. The goal also offers the opportunity to advance environmental justice by supporting the implementation of locally-led conservation efforts in communities nationwide.
The letter, which is signed by nonprofits, tribal entities and businesses from 43 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and the Mariana Islands, reads in part:
“To confront the rapid loss of America’s natural places and wildlife, the U.S. must accelerate locally-led land, water, and ocean conservation and restoration efforts at all levels of government and across the country. For more than a century, the United States has risen to meet the major environmental challenges facing our nation. Conserving 30 percent of our lands, waters, and ocean by 2030 — a commitment that is widely supported by Americans, with 4 out of 5 voters expressing support — is a critical milestone in the effort to tackle the challenges we face today.
As the Biden-Harris administration works to achieve the national 30×30 target, we, the undersigned 342 organizations and businesses, on behalf of our members and supporters, stand in support of this ambitious and inclusive vision for conservation. By empowering the ongoing, locally-driven conservation efforts of communities across the country, your administration can help limit the negative consequences and immense costs of climate change, a critical goal not only for the Biden-Harris administration, but for our planet.”
Additionally, both the letter and the President’s Executive Order recognize the importance of collaboration across the federal, state and local governments, and experts including landowners, Indigenous peoples, scientists, and other community leaders in achieving protections that add up to 30%.
“For too long, the consequences of natural resource extraction and pollution in the United States have fallen disproportionately on low income and communities of color. As longtime advocates for a 30×30 rooted in equity, we celebrate president Biden’s effort to position environmental justice at the core of a national 30×30 approach,” says Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, Founder/ Executive Director, Azul.
The signers of the letter include environmental organizations and land trusts, recreation affinity groups, tribal bands, and businesses. These groups hope that support of the 30×30 goal will encourage the Biden Administration to advance nature-based climate solutions, and ensure that nature’s benefits are accessible to all Americans.