Earth Equity News

EPA Releases Report on Reducing Warming Impact on Sensitive Ecosystems. Press Release, EPA, June 20, 2008. "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a report that can help reduce the potential impact of climate change on estuaries, forests, wetlands, coral reefs, and other sensitive ecosystems. The report [issued by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program], entitled Adaptation Options for Climate Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources, [PDF, 910 pp.], identifies strategies to protect the environment as these changes occur... To develop this assessment, scientists studied national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, wild and scenic rivers, national estuaries, and marine protected areas - all protected by the federal government... The report finds that climate change can increase the impact of traditional stressors (such as pollution or habitat destruction) on ecosystems, and that many existing best management practices to reduce these stressors can also be applied to reduce the impacts of climate change."