Audubon Joins Carbon Capture Coalition

NEW YORK — “Audubon is committed to protecting birds and the places they need — and the greatest threat to birds and people is climate change,” said David Yarnold (@david_yarnold), president and CEO of National Audubon Society. 

“While some may be holding out for a perfect solution to climate change, we know that it will take an array of approaches to reduce planet-warming pollution.  

“The Carbon Capture Coalition is pursuing many avenues—including a market-driven approach that has deep bipartisan support. Audubon is excited to be at the table with a range of voices exploring policy options that accelerate a reduction in carbon pollution,” Yarnold added.

The Carbon Capture Coalition is led by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and the Great Plains Institute. With over 50 members ranging from the energy industry, agriculture, labor unions and conservation leaders, the coalition is non-partisan and solutions-oriented. Recently, the coalition successfully advocated for improving and extending the carbon capture tax credit, known as the 45Q tax credit, led by Senators Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), John Barrasso (R-WY), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).

“C2ES is honored to welcome The National Audubon Society to the Carbon Capture Coalition," said Jeff Bobeck, co-director of the Carbon Capture Coalition and director of energy policy engagement at C2ES. "Audubon is among the oldest, most recognized, and widely respected voices for conservation, and its unique perspective will be a valuable addition to the coalition. Audubon’s commitment to solving climate change is rooted in a devotion to ensuring continued biodiversity, and its support illustrates a growing awareness that carbon capture is an essential and necessary tool to meet mid-century climate targets.”

"We welcome the National Audubon Society to the growing list of participants in the Carbon Capture Coalition," said Brad Crabtree, co-director of the Carbon Capture Coalition and vice president for fossil energy at Great Plains Institute. "We are excited to partner with Audubon and their national grassroots network of members and staff to encourage policymakers to take further steps to support carbon capture and to promote its adoption in energy, industrial, and agricultural applications around the country.”

Advancing carbon capture technology should be part of a comprehensive solution set to addressing climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, carbon capture is vital to meeting mid-century goals for reducing carbon emissions.

In 2014, Audubon published its Birds and Climate Change Report. The study shows that more than half of the bird species in North America could lose at least half of their current ranges by 2080 due to rising temperatures. These species include the Bald Eagle, the American Kestrel and the Northern Harrier.

Given the urgent threat climate change poses to birds and people, Audubon supports common-sense, bipartisan solutions that reduce carbon emissions at the speed and scale necessary to protect birds and the places they need. 

To learn more about Audubon’s Climate Initiative, including how members and supporters can take steps to help birds in a changing climate, please visit www.audubon.org/climate.

The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using, science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Learn more how to help at www.audubon.org and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @audubonsociety.

Contact: Nicolas Gonzalez, ngonzalez@audubon.org, (212) 979-3100.

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