What's Your Score?

Dear Klaus,

WWF Conservation Action Network activists want to know: How effective have I been lately? Here's the answer -- your latest Conservation Action Network scorecard which shows the important environmental victories that you've achieved over the past few months, as well as the tough battles that we haven't yet won.

You'll see that Conservation Action Network crusaders have been incredibly busy and successful lately. In several cases, you've joined forces with online activists from other WWF offices around the world, making our collective voices louder and clearer with decision makers.

Thank you and congratulations!

RECENT VICTORIES

* Big Win for the Great Barrier Reef

During the past two years, scores of Conservation Action Network activists took part in WWF-Australia's campaign for greater protection for the world famous Great Barrier Reef. In December 2003, the Australian parliament agreed to safeguard 27,000,000 acres of the reef -- creating the largest network of marine sanctuaries on Earth.

* Ecuador Rethinks Agreement with Galapagos Fishermen

Thankfully, the Ecuadorian government recently backed away from an agreement it had reached with protesting local fishermen that could have spelled big trouble down the road for the Galapagos Islands' fragile marine environment and the people who depend on it. WWF activists helped bring about this victory by sending a total of 35,000 messages to the president of Ecuador and two government ministers.

* U.S. Congress Nixes Plan that Threatened Alaska Fish and Wildlife

In January, Congress removed from a spending bill language that would have prevented federal funds from being spent to protect essential fish habitat and marine ecosystems in the waters off Alaska -- including recently-discovered deep water coral and sponge habitats -- from destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling. Also removed were incentives for resuming fishing for depleted pollock fish stocks. WWF activists sent 17,000 letters to their senators pushing for these changes.

* Baltic Sea Gets Special Protection

When WWF offices in countries bordering the Baltic Sea asked for help in sheltering this extraordinary marine habitat from oil spills and other impacts of shipping, you responded enthusiastically, sending 10,000 letters of support. As a result, in April the Baltic was given the protection it deserves when the International Maritime Organization designated it as a "Particularly Sensitive Sea Area."

* Support Builds for Endocrine Disruptor Legislation

Cosponsorship of the Environmental Health Research Act jumped by 42 representatives and four senators since WWF activists started speaking out in support of the measure last fall. So far, these online advocates have sent 44,000 letters to Congress. The bill calls for a badly-needed U.S. government-wide program of research on chemicals that disrupt the hormones of people and wildlife. U.S. activists can still urge their members of Congress to cosponsor the legislation.

* Arctic Refuge Safe -- For Now

During the past year, WWF advocates sent an amazing 73,000 letters urging Congress to spare the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from the ravages of energy development. You've had great success. First, drilling provisions were kept out of the national energy bill pending in Congress. Then, after both Republicans and Democrats raised objections, congressional leaders chose not to assume in the fiscal year 2005 budget bill that revenues from oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would contribute to federal income. Including the revenues in the budget bill would have made it easier for legislators to authorize oil and gas development in the refuge.

But, the refuge won't be safe until it's been designated as wilderness. U.S. activists can still urge their members of Congress to cosponsor Arctic Refuge wilderness legislation.

* U.S. Offshore Oil Drilling Moratorium Intact

After WWF activists sent 31,000 letters to Congress, legislators also kept language calling for an inventory of potential oil and gas resources in the entire outer continental shelf out of the pending national energy bill. That study could have been the first step toward overturning a long-standing offshore oil drilling moratorium that protects these fragile areas.

* $2.5 Million for Florida Keys Water Quality Protection

Florida activists played a special role in boosting funding for improvements to water quality in the Florida Keys. They sent hundreds of letters urging Governor Jeb Bush to push Congress to increase federal funding. In the end, Congress approved $2.5 million for wastewater and stormwater treatment in the Florida Keys, which will help save the Keys' imperiled coral reef ecosystem and fisheries from the water pollution that threatens their survival.

* Public's Right to Comment is Upheld

Late last year, the U.S. Forest Service dropped a plan that would have restricted how the public can submit comments on forest management plans, amendments, or revisions. WWF activists sent 8,000 letters objecting to the proposal.

SETBACKS

Despite your tens of thousands of emails, some decision makers were unwilling to make conservation a priority. You'll be hearing from us as opportunities arise to change these outcomes.

* Germany Undermines Global Warming Progress

Sadly, Germany turned from being an international climate policy leader to one that openly supports new coal-fired power plants at the expense of cleaner energies. In so doing, it undermined the process of the European Union meeting its Kyoto Protocol obligations to fight global warming.

The good news is that we caught the German chancellor's eye and were successful in convincing him to get personally involved in the debate. We also generated enormous media coverage of the issue, particularly in the German press. And, we showed the power of collaboration, teaming with WWF-Germany and other WWF offices to send 16,000 letters in just a few days time.

* Roadless Areas Still at Risk

Late last year, the Bush administration announced that it would exempt the Tongass National Forest in Alaska from the Clinton-era roadless area protection rule. The exemption will allow nearly 50 timber sales to go forward -- comprising 300,000 acres of old growth forest. Furthermore, the administration has refused to implement the roadless rule or defend it against industry-inspired court challenges. Any day now, the administration is expected to announce its version of the rule, which may allow states to request exemptions. Meanwhile, WWF activists have sent 41,000 letters urging their members of Congress to circumvent these threats and make the roadless rule the law of the land. You can still lend your voice.

* Oil and Gas Exploration Planned for Western Arctic

The administration recently gave its approval for oil and gas leasing within nearly 9 million acres of the 23 million acre National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska in the Western Arctic. Located west of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and home to the Inupiat Eskimo people, the region is teeming with wildlife and critical habitats. Last year, WWF activists sent 8,700 comments objecting to the development; this year, they sent 42,000 letters asking Congress to intervene.

* More Development Allowed in Florida Keys

In March, Florida Governor Jeb Bush and his cabinet voted to increase development in the Florida Keys, eliminate a water quality initiative, and not include important natural areas in a temporary building moratorium on sensitive lands -- despite receiving 30,000 letters from Conservation Action Network advocates.

* Oil and Gas Leasing Planned for Otero Mesa

The Bush administration recently firmed up plans to allow energy development within New Mexico's Otero Mesa, one of the last relatively unfragmented desert grasslands within the globally-outstanding Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion. The plans call for reclamation, but restoring this type of habitat is virtually impossible. During the public comment period, 7,700 WWF activists opposed the development.

For more on these and other past campaigns, visit the "Your Successes" section.

WHAT MORE YOU CAN DO

* Ramp up Your Activism

Now, it's easier to add your own thoughts to the letters you send and dramatically increase your impact because the Conservation Action Network Web site stores your password when you log in. Each time you come back to the site, you can go right to the page that lets you personalize your letters. Log in and edit away.

* Get Your Friends on Board

Send your friends WWF e-postcards and urge them to join the Conservation Action Network. The more people who are committed to taking action, the more powerfully we will speak out for wildlife and wild spaces around the world.

* Learn More About Your Representatives

U.S. activists, do you know who your members of Congress are? Now, you can find out and contact them directly.

THANK YOU

Working together, we can all become a force for nature.

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