More than a dozen climate change bills have been introduced in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Leading the way is the Climate Security Act of 2007, S. 2191 climate-change bill, or the "Lieberman-Warner" after its principal Senate sponsors. It would provide billions of dollars annually to address climate-change impacts, including to fish and wildlife. The bill was favorably reported out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on December 5, 2007. If enacted, the bill could alter the landscape of fish and wildlife funding for decades to come. In a rare change of political climate, traditional conservation groups, enviros and leading academics support both the proposed funding mechanism and fund-distribution method, reports the Wildlife Management Institute.

Although not all factions agree on all the provisions of Lieberman-Warner, there is consensus that fish and wildlife needs?particularly for species in greatest need of conservation attention?must be addressed in any legislation that moves forward. In order to limit greenhouse gases and provide funding to deal with climate-change impacts, Lieberman-Warner would establish a cap-and-trade system, as well as establish an auction of carbon credits. Estimates of potential new revenue reach as high as $175 billion over 19 years.

A cap-and-trade system would establish a ceiling for carbon emissions in terms of tons of carbon produced annually. This ceiling would lower incrementally for several decades. Industries and businesses would be assigned carbon credit allowances. Those that can operate under their ceiling by technological advances or other means would be able to trade, sell or borrow carbon credits. The federal government also could auction off carbon credits and, therefore, generate revenue to expand alternative energy sources and finance climate-change adaption programs.

The adaptation program provided in the bill would allocate revenue (18 percent) to fund federal, tribal, and state fish and wildlife agencies. These funds, without other appropriation, would be used for fish and wildlife conservation and for climate-change adaptation through various existing programs and entities. These programs include the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, Migratory Bird Management Program, National Wildlife Refuge System, Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund, North American Wetlands Conservation Act, National Fish Habitat Plan, Coastal Program, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, and Land and Water Conservation Fund.

During next month's 73rd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, Lieberman-Warner and other legislation will be discussed at a full-day workshop, "Climate Change Impacts on Wildlife, Fisheries and Outdoor Recreation in North America." The workshop will be held on Monday, March 24, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, in Phoenix, Arizona. The workshop agenda can be viewed at http://www.wildlifemanagementinstitute.org; look under "Conference Workshops." (saw)