"Public policy must also confront the consequences of the climate crisis, including the threat of animal extinctions."
This is just one line from Julian Castro's PAW plan (Protecting Animal and Welfare) that seeks to showcase how animals, climate change and extinction itself is actually connected and how we need to do something about it NOW.
I'm not sure why this hasn't received much attention here at Daily Kos, other than in Austin Bailey's 5 Things Diary from August 21 (Pets for Castro, Bolsonaro's an Ass, Rhino Poaching, Wolves Killed, Oh, Canada WTF). Castro is taking a unique approach to helping our environment and looking out for not only the wildlife and fauna that helps protect and save the environment, but our furry loved ones that keep us safe and warm our hearts in our own environments.
Let's take a look at the first point about climate change, wildlife and the environment. Grist talks about why this matters.
A new study out on Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications shows the climate is changing more speedily than animals can adapt to it. By studying 10,000 climate change papers, a team of more than 60 international scientists found that normal functions like hibernation, reproduction, and migration are under threat due to shifting seasons and warming temperatures. "The climate crisis is accelerating an unprecedented decline in biodiversity, threatening not only the future of animals but human life," Castro writes in a Medium post detailing his new proposal. "Public policy must also confront the consequences of the climate crisis, including the threat of animal extinctions."
As they point out...
By marrying the climate crisis to the extinction crisis, Castro is paving the way for a more enlightened conversation about conservation among the 2020 Democratic hopefuls {...] And not a moment too soon.
However, it's not just the the wild things that are in danger from climate change that Castro is seeking to protect. It's also endangered species—that have been weakened by Trump's policies—and Castro is even working to protect domesticated dogs and cats.
According to Vox, this is not just "compassionate toward animals and the planet; it's also smart politics." A lot of Americans sure love their furry friends, and more and more voters are making it well-known that they are not happy with animal cruelty that is going on in the name of making easier for people.
Castro also seeks to reform factory farming by creating minimum standards for animal welfare and opposing state "ag gag" laws that hide animal cruelty from the public; to end the euthanasia of healthy cats and dogs in shelters; to prohibit the testing of cosmetics on animals; and to protect at least 30 percent of US lands and oceans by 2030.
Julián Castro has shown he is strong on immigration--which is extremely important at this time--but his concern for the environment, for climate change is also note-worthy. Taking a strong step in looking out for our planet, our environment and all who live on it, those with two as well as four legs, shows the kind of compassionate and forward-thinking leader he can and will be.
I highly suggest everyone read his PAW plan. Here are a few excerpts.
Animals are an important part of our lives, families, communities, and the planet we share. [...] Hundreds of thousands of cats and dogs are in need of a loving home, and hundreds of millions of livestock and poultry suffer inhumane conditions. Last year, over 700,000 animals were euthanized in America’s shelters, a cruel and unjust fate for far too many lives. But our nation can choose a different path. [...]
One million plant and animal species are on the verge of extinction, according to a new United Nations scientific report. The climate crisis is accelerating an unprecedented decline in biodiversity, threatening not only the future of animals but human life. [...] I believe that we can do better at advancing animal welfare and protecting endangered species from extinction.
Julián Castro is a man I would be very proud to call my next President.
ETA: FoundingFatherDAR Let me know that in a recent PWB Peeps diary, information on this was posted in the comments as well.