Press Releases

Today, the House Natural Resources Committee approved the Safeguarding America’s Future and Environment (SAFE) Act, legislation authored by U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) to protect American communities, natural resources and wildlife from extreme weather and climate change.

“The damaging effects of climate change and extreme weather are becoming more apparent not just on our coasts, but all across our nation,” said Rep. Cartwright, vice-chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC). “By proactively preparing for these risks, we can protect our precious natural resources and those who depend on them for their way of life. I thank my colleagues on the Natural Resources Committee for recognizing the urgent need for us to adapt our environment and our economy as we face growing challenges posed by climate change.”

“With ever-hotter wildfires raging out of control and unprecedented floods becoming all too common, there is no more serious threat facing animals than climate change,” said Sara Amundson, president of Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We commend Representative Cartwright for leading the way to push for an integrated national approach to protect wildlife and people alike in an efficient and scientifically sound way.”

The SAFE Act would require federal natural resource agencies to form an interagency working group to implement a long-term national strategy to better prepare for the damage caused by climate change. State, local, and tribal governments, as well as nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions and private sector representatives would be called upon to lend their expertise to the working group.

According to a recent report by the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation — including camping, sports and hunting — adds $887 billion to the U.S. economy, supports 7.6 million American jobs and generates $125 billion in tax revenues. However, extreme weather events such as high temperatures and coastal and inland flooding threatens this important sector of our economy. Bolstering our natural resources now enables us to reduce our long-term costs and ensures that the countless benefits they provide to our country’s health, safety, and economy are preserved for the American people.