After a year of devastating wildfires in all of the Amazon rainforest and forests across Indonesia, as well as continued degradation of boreal forests across North America, Assembly member Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) and co-authors of the account, The world of 4 animals, Friends of the Earth, Natural Resources Defense Councill, and Social compassion in legislation, announced the introduction Score AB 416, California Deforestation Procurement Act.
“With this bill, we are giving California the opportunity to take real leadership in the fight against tropical and northern deforestation and primary forest degradation by making our purchases – and our global influence – more transparent, more sustainable and more ethical,” Assemblyman Kalra said in the statement sent to the WAN. “AB 416 reaffirms our Californian values and expands environmental leadership to protecting tropical and boreal forests, sending a powerful signal to global markets that illegal and destructive deforestation by commodity-driven products will no longer be tolerated.”
If accepted, all California contracts related to goods that endanger tropical and virgin boreal forests such as palm oil, soybeans, cattle, rubber, paper / pulp and wood, require contractors to support No deforestation, no peat, no exploitation (NDPE) politics, and provide evidence that their activities in vulnerable tropical and northern regions are not related to the destruction and degradation of forests or violations of the rights of indigenous peoples.
Environmentalists and industry leaders alike agree that such a policy is the best way to prevent continued deforestation. A version of the bill introduced in Dec 2019 achieved strong bipartisan support but failed to pass Senate Appropriations Committee.
The world’s forests are in crisis. The rainforests cover approximately 7% surface of the Earth, but serve as a refuge for almost half of all species on Earth. Estimated 18 million acres of forest–an an area one-fifth the size of California – lost every year, largely due to the expansion of agribusiness plantations. Deforestation and related land-use changes account for nearly a quarter of global carbon dioxide emissions and are a major contributor to the global biodiversity crisis.
Boreal forests account for a third of the world’s forest area and, after mangroves, are the forests with the highest carbon content on Earth. The Canadian boreal forest alone contains twice the carbon of the world’s oil reserves and is home to billions of migratory birds. Deforestation of primeval forests is a major source of carbon emissions and reductions in critical species. IN North America, Only 15 of 51 North Caribou herds have sufficient habitat to survive in the long term, mainly through industrial logging, while 33% birds have decreased in the last 50 years.
“I have experienced firsthand the harrowing consequences of deforestation by traveling and filming Indonesia videos,” said Kathy Cleary, founder and president of The world of 4 animals. “We will lose vital species like the endangered orangutans, tigers and rhinoceroses if we don’t take meaningful action to stop the destruction of our rainforests. The No-Deforestation Procurement Act will help protect critical habitats, thus preserving species and forests for future generations. ”
“The loss of our forests isn’t just damaging us, it’s also the loss of habitat for countless species of animals,” said Judy Mancuso, CEO and Founder Social compassion in legislation. “We caused destruction, which means we must do everything in our power to protect all vulnerable and endangered species. The No-Deforestation Procurement Act is a powerful step forward towards starting healing and stopping destruction. ”
“California’s No-Deforestation Procurement Act is a forward-looking but extremely pragmatic and direct contribution to ending the global deforestation crisis,” said Jeff Conant, senior manager of the international forestry program at the company. Friends of the Earth. “This bill is not only timely, it has long been overdue.”
“Market action in California and the United States will critically determine the fate of forests around the world, from lush rainforests to majestic northern forests,” explained Jennifer Skin, attorney for the Canadian project at Natural Resources Defense Council… “This law recognizes this interconnection and aims to end the wasteful destruction of forests that are the ancestral home of many indigenous peoples and play such a vital role in protecting our climate and the world’s biodiversity for future generations.”
Principal contributors FROM 416 are Assembly Members Richard Bloom (Santa Monica Democracy), Eduardo Garcia (Coachella Democrat), and Alex Lee (D-San Jose), and Senators Ben Allen (Santa Monica Democrat), and Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles). The co-author of the bill is also Assembly Members Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), and Rivas Light (D-Arleta), and Senator John Laird (Democrat from Santa Cruz).
You can help all animals and our planet by choosing compassion on your plate and glass. #GoVeg
A Post by Peace 4 Animals, SCIL, NRDC and FOE Introduces California Deforestation Bill to Protect Critical Rainforest Habitats and Endangered Species first appeared in World Animal News.