Excerpts from Senator Whitehouse's Keynote Address

摘要

As global warming continues unchecked, our nations wetlands feel increasing pressure. A recent review of national wetlands by [the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] and U.S. Fish and Wildlife, who are represented here today, has indicated a significant decline in coastal wetlands along the eastern coast. So we must do everything we can to protect and defend our remaining wetlands against a trifecta of threats: pollution; development; and climate change. Increasing temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns will likely alter the flows of our rivers and streams changing watershed dynamics forever. Many species of plants and animals will be forced to adapt to changing temperature regimes or perish. Already, migratory birds and several plant species are showing up in locations never before seen and thought to be previously out of range of their survivability. The effects of these new species interactions with one another and with the overall ecosystem remains uncertain.