Major Issues - Foreign Policy

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Responsible stewardship of the Earth's environment is critical to the survival of mankind and all species. From land and water degradation to global warming to the unsustainable exploitation of finite natural resources, the environmental challenges facing our planet today are enormous.

Senator Leahy has long believed that the United States must be a leader in biological conservation, and over the years he has fought hard to secure funds for critical environmental programs.As Chairman of the State, Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Leahy has worked to secure additional funds for the protection of tropical forests and wildlife. He wrote the legislation to create the U.S. Agency for International Development's Amazon Basin Conservation Initiative, a regional effort to protect the Amazon that encompasses nine countries and has global, environmental, health and economic importance that dwarfs any other forest or river system in the world.

He has also strongly supported the Congo Basin Forest Partnership in Central Africa, where logging, hunting and slash and burn agriculture threaten critical ecosystems in the world's second largest area of tropical forest. Senator Leahy sponsored amendments to provide funds for programs to protect endangered species, particularly great apes in Africa and Indonesia.

It is not only our planet's freshwater systems, forests, and endangered land animals which must be protected. The pollution and over fishing of the Earth's oceans is becoming a global crisis. Senator Leahy will continue to support efforts to protect, conserve and restore our oceans and coastal ecosystems.

Statements Of Senator Leahy
Concerning Global Environment

Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Protecting Indonesia's Forests March 5, 2009

Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy On Agreement To Protect Forests And Wildlife In Sumatra
November 19, 2008

Sen. Patrick Leahy received a Water Advocate Award from Melanie Nakagawa of NRDC.

A Drop of Safe Water: Senator Leahy (D-Vt.) receives a Water Advocate award for his role in appropriating $300 million to fund the Water for the Poor Act from Melanie Nakagawa of Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The funds will be used primarily to deliver safe drinking water and sanitation to people in the developing world. Photo Credit: Water Advocates

Read a complete list of Sen. Leahy's foreign policy statements.