The Nature Conservancy's Statement on the Secretarial Order on Climate Change

ARLINGTON, VA— September 14, 2009—The following is a statement from Eric Haxthausen, Director of US Climate Policy at The Nature Conservancy:

"The Nature Conservancy applauds the Department of Interior and Secretary Salazar's leadership on addressing climate change impacts through today's launch of a comprehensive strategy to coordinate the Department's climate science and resource management efforts.

"Climate change is no longer a future threat. Right now, climate change is affecting the nature and people, the resources we all rely on for our food and water supplies, health, and well-being. The longer we wait to respond, the more difficult and more costly it will become.

"Today's Secretarial Order makes clear that the Department of Interior clearly understands the enormity of the challenge and the importance of early and coordinated action. The Response Council, Centers, and Collaboratives created by today's Order are critical next steps to ensure a cohesive, locally-responsive approach to a daunting problem."

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.