Durham, NC (Oct 29, 2018) —Today after Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order taking steps to address climate impacts at the state level, Audubon North Carolina vice president and executive director Andrew Hutson said, “Climate change is the biggest threat to birds and people. Hurricanes Matthew, Florence, and Michael have shown us the new normal of extreme weather and sea level rise and the impact it is having on our state. Governor Cooper’s climate plan builds on last year’s historic solar bill passed by NC lawmakers and shows North Carolina leadership is responding to calls for action from citizens and the business community across the state. While Washington continues to dither, North Carolina is stepping up to the plate to grow our clean energy economy, protect our communities, and prosper into the future.”
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 Brown-headed Nuthatch.
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, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon's state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon's vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at www.audubon.org and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @audubonsociety. Audubon North Carolina has offices in Corolla, Boone, Wilmington and Durham. Learn more at www.nc.audubon.org and on Twitter at @audubonnc.
Media contact: Chandler Lennon clennon@audubon.org 804-832-0832
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