05.17.16

Media Advisory: Briefing with E.O. Wilson on the Benefits of Biodiversity and the ESA

 

Washington, D.C. – A coalition of conservation, environmental and wildlife organizations are holding a briefing featuring E.O. Wilson, PhD, a renowned scientist and environmentalists, on the benefits of biodiversity and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on Wednesday, May 18 at 1:30 p.m. on Capitol Hill. The briefing will focus on the benefits biodiversity provides in agricultural production, ecosystem services, clean air and water, medicine, and climate regulation.

Despite the importance of the ESA and its broad support, it has come under frequent attacks in the current Congress. In the 114th Congress, members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have introduced 103 legislative measures, including three species-specific riders in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would undermine the ESA. This is an unprecedented assault on a wildly popular and effective conservation law. For more than 40 years, this landmark conservation law has successfully prevented the extinction of nearly 99 percent of all listed animal and plant species.

Event Details

WHAT: Briefing with special guest E.O. Wilson, titled “A Cleaner, Healthier, Richer America: Benefits of Biodiversity and the Endangered Species Act”

WHEN: Wednesday, May 18, 2016 from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. EST

WHERE: Capitol Visitor Center, Room SVC 212-10

WHO:

  • Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), House Natural Resources Committee (opening remarks)
  • Congressman Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), House Natural Resources Committee Water, Power and Oceans Subcommittee Ranking Member (opening remarks)
  • Leda Huta, Executive Director, Endangered Species Coalition (moderator)
  • E.O. Wilson, PhD, American biologist, researcher, theorist, naturalist and author (panelist)
  • Aaron Bernstein, MD, Associate Director of The Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard School of Public Health (panelist)
  • Stephen Polasky, PhD, Regents professor and Fesler-Lampert Professor of Ecological/Environmental Economics at University of Minnesota (panelist)

Press Contact

Media Contact: Diane Padilla

(202) 225-6065 or (202) 226-3522