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Curb Global Warming
Our atmosphere is overloaded with heat-trapping carbon dioxide, threatening large-scale disruptions in climate. If we continue pumping carbon into the atmosphere at current rates, then a drastic temperature hike of 3 to 9 degrees by century's end will become inevitable, with disastrous consequences. We must act now to speed the wholesale adoption of cleaner sources of energy both at home and abroad.
Save Endangered Wild Places
Across the Americas, the last large remnants of wild nature are under siege by chain saws, bulldozers and oil rigs. If we allow these natural treasures to be destroyed, humankind stands to lose vast troves of biological diversity, critical regulators of global climate, and irreplaceable sanctuaries for recreation and contemplation.
Stem the Tide of Toxic Chemicals
Medical science tells us that we can prevent cancers, asthma and brain impairments simply by reducing exposure to environmental pollutants. Yet our economy continues to drive the proliferation of disease-causing chemicals in consumer products: toxic mercury in batteries; carcinogenic chemicals in baby bottles and toys; neurologically damaging pesticides in garden products.
Revive the World's Oceans
Ninety percent of the large fish like tuna and swordfish are already gone. Every year, high-tech fishing trawlers scrape bare an expanse of ocean floor 75 times larger than all the forests clearcut on land. All six species of sea turtle in U.S. waters are threatened with extinction, and marine mammals are increasingly assaulted by lethal noise from high-intensity military sonar and industrial activity.
Move America Beyond Oil
Our gasoline habit is a major environmental liability, and is fast becoming an economic and national security risk as well. Burning oil in our cars and trucks releases global warming pollution, toxic air pollutants and makes us dangerously dependent on some of the world's most oppressive regimes.
© Natural Resources Defense Council. All rights reserved.
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