New Mexico’s forests are “Worth More Wild”
Mining, logging, and
oil and gas drilling in New Mexico’s national forests jeopardize $807.6
million per year in income from lodging, equipment and licenses for
activities such as fishing, hunting and wildlife watching, according to
“Worth More Wild,” a new report released by the Environment New Mexico
Research & Policy Center.
“Pristine forests boost local
economies, provide unique outdoor opportunities, preserve wildlife and
protect watersheds,” said Environment New Mexico’s Environmental
Associate Randall Coleman. “That’s why we’re calling on New Mexico’s
congressional delegation to support the Roadless Area Conservation Act.
The bill will protect 1.6 million acres of roadless forests in New
Mexico and 58.5 million acres of untouched forests nationally.”
Click here to read the report.
Report: Global warming to bring more deadly heat
Extreme heat
already ranks as the top weather-related killer in the United States,
taking more lives than hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and
earthquakes combined. But the death toll from extreme heat will
increase significantly by mid-century as global warming drives up
summertime temperatures, according to a new report released by
Environment New Mexico, and conducted by climate experts Dr. Laurence
Kalkstein and Dr. Scott Greene.
The study examined 21 U.S.
cities, including Albuquerque, and found that 23,160 additional
heat-related deaths would occur due to global warming-induced
temperature increases by 2050. The average summer season would see a
doubling of heat-related deaths.
“Rising temperatures are likely
to increase heat-related deaths in the future, but if we take bold,
immediate action to reduce our global warming emissions we can still
avoid the worst effects of global warming,” said Lauren Ketcham,
advocate for Environment New Mexico.
Click here to read the full report.
