Latest Library Content

Our Health and Climate Change

November 12, 2009 - Our health is dependent on the help of our natural resources. America’s forests, wetlands, and other natural areas provide our communities with tremendous benefits, including clean water and air, and defending against weather-related disasters. Our forests, for example, capture about 14% of the domestic carbon emissions, and our national forests alone provide 58% of the nation’s water supply. Wetlands are estimated to provide the equivalent of $23.2 billion in storm protection services every year. That’s an average of $33,000 an acre. more

Broken Promises: The Reality of Big Oil in America's Arctic

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November 12, 2009 - Proponents of oil development in Alaska have been making promises, and breaking them, for decades. More than thirty years of industrial activity in Alaska have demonstrated that oil production is inherently a dirty business. Despite the industry’s best intentions to minimize impacts, environmental and social effects are accumulating and resulting in lasting harm to ecosystems and indigenous cultures. This report calls attention to the many gaps between promise and reality, casting doubt on the reassurances being made by drilling proponents and their allies. more

The Public Says It’s Time to Act On Energy & Climate!

November 2, 2009 - The public wants action on strong clean energy and climate legislation. This fact sheet uses polling information to outline what the American people believe about global warming and what changes they expect in order to help mitigate damage. more

Supplemental Scoping Comments on SunZia Transmission Project

November 2, 2009 - These comments were submitted by The Wilderness Society and our conservation partners during the supplemental scoping period provided for the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project. more

Land Conservation and Renewable Energy Development: Finding a Balance in a Warming World

November 1, 2009 - The Wilderness Society and our conservation partners' case statement for balancing renewable energy development with land conservation. more

Transmission Policy Reform

October 30, 2009 - The planning, siting, and managing of electric transmission lines in the United States must be reformed as part of a comprehensive effort to transition to a clean energy economy. Because the focal point of a national clean energy strategy must be an economy-wide limit on global warming pollutants that results in rapid and dramatic emissions reductions, a strong renewable electricity standard must be put in place to promote deployment of renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency measures. more

Look Before You Leap Off the Natural Gas Bridge: Lessons from the Rockies

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October 23, 2009 - This five-part presentation by our Director of Economics, Pete Morton, provides a cautionary tale for those proposing to increase natural gas drilling – based on the lessons learned from the recent natural gas drilling boom in the Rockies. more

Getting the whole job done: Creating jobs that revitalize the economy and protect communities and resources from climate change

October 22, 2009 - Addressing climate change means reducing emissions and protecting people and resources from impacts already under way. Significant dedicated funding is required to keep our economy, health and resources resilient in a warming world. Investing 5% of total allowance value in natural resource adaptation projects will create jobs across the country that protect the resources upon which our economy, health and culture rely. These types of projects include: stream bed repair, removing invasive species, coastline restoration and installing culverts. more