Disasters Threaten Wildlife Recent wildfires threatened the dens of highly endangered Mexican gray wolves. Scientists say that climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of wildfires and other disasters and that these disasters are on the rise. Let your Representative know that you are disappointed in his/her vote to prevent the US Department of Agriculture from implementing new regulations to help plan for climate-induced disasters. Dear Figrd,Readers, Increasingly severe storms in the Midwest and Southeast. Wildfires in the West. Severe flooding and droughts. Each of these is real. Each is consistent with what scientists say are the types of events climate change is and will bring. And each threatens our communities and our wildlife. Shockingly, last week your representative voted to limit the federal response to these climate-induced disasters.  Please let him or her know how disappointed you are in his or her vote. Send a message now. The devastation in Joplin and Tuscaloosa are testament to the destructive potential of increasingly severe storms in a changing climate. The wildfires in Arizona, Texas and beyond speak to the powerful impact that changes in precipitation and forest health can have on our landscapes, wildlife habitat and communities. Droughts not only harm our food security, but also destroy vital habitat for ducks and other birds. Floods can disrupt fragile river ecosystems and wreak havoc on our communities. Your Representative – and 237  other members of the House – voted to prevent the US Department of Agriculture (which oversees our National Forests) from considering these obvious threats.  We need to prepare for climate-induced disasters. Let your Representative know that you are disappointed in his/her vote to prevent the US Department of Agriculture from implementing new regulations to help plan for climate-induced disasters. There is broad scientific consensus that climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of these types of threats and that these threats are on the rise. Shouldn’t we prepare for these disasters and do everything we can to help farmers, communities and wildlife adapt to a changing climate?  Not according to the House of Representatives… or your Representative. Take action now. Send a message to your Representative. The recent wildfires in Arizona threatened the dens of nearly extinct Mexican gray wolves. Droughts are drying up the prairie pothole region that is vital to ducks and other birds. And storms and flooding are wreaking incalculable damage on vital wildlife habitat across the country. America – and its wildlife – can’t afford inaction in the face of calamity. Please let your Representative know that you expect better. With Gratitude, Robert Dewey Vice President, Government Affairs Defenders of Wildlife P.S. This is just one of many attempts by climate change deniers to freeze federal action to address this threat.  Please take action now and tell your representative to vote “no” on any other riders that prevent our agencies from implementing their adaptation plans and protecting America from the impacts of climate change.