WHAT IS NATURAL SECURITY?

The ties between conservation and security have become increasingly clear. The world is less safe when criminals profit from stealing and poaching its wildlife and natural resources, and when shortages of fresh water, food, and other natural resources lead to instability and conflict.

WHY DOES INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION MATTER?

Targeted U.S. investment in international conservation efforts contributes to America’s long-term foreign policy objectives and enhances U.S. economic and national security interests around the globe.

UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT

WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING

The illegal trade of endangered and threatened wildlife and their parts—such as elephant ivory, rhino horn, tiger bones, pangolins, and shark fins—is a transnational organized crime generating billions of dollars annually. These profits finance criminal syndicates and extremist groups that threaten U.S. security interests and corrupt the rule of law.

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FOOD AND WATER SCARCITY

In many parts of the developing world, water shortages, reduced food supplies, and other natural resource scarcities are accelerating the migration of millions of people and are making communities vulnerable to conflict and radicalization. Disputes over natural resources exacerbate existing instability, contribute to regional tensions, and can erupt into armed conflict, threatening American interests overseas.

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NATURAL DISASTERS

Natural disasters—hurricanes, droughts, floods, landslides—can devastate communities around the globe, requiring years of costly recovery and rebuilding and further straining natural resources. By investing to maintain healthy forests, wetlands, aquifers, and rivers, we can help blunt the impacts of natural disasters when they strike and make communities more resilient to extreme weather events.

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U.S. ECONOMY AND MARKETS

Illegal trade in natural resource commodities, including timber and seafood, undermines U.S. and global markets, depresses prices, and makes it difficult for law-abiding U.S. companies to compete. By working to stop illegal trade and help countries manage their natural resources legally and sustainably, new markets for U.S. products open and U.S. jobs and companies’ supply chains are protected.

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Zoonotic Diseases And Global Pandemics

Nearly half of all emerging pandemic diseases originate in wildlife. COVID-19, SARS, Ebola, Bird Flu and HIV are all “zoonotic diseases” that spilled over from wildlife into humans, and the causes of this spillover are rooted in our exploitation and destruction of nature: illegal and unregulated wildlife trade, deforestation and habitat destruction, the encroachment of human populations and development into wilderness areas, and human consumption of wildlife species known to transmit diseases. As the COVID-19 crisis clearly demonstrates, human health is closely tied to the health of nature, which means global conservation measures are critical components of preventing future pandemics.

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HOW DOES THE U.S. INVEST IN INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION?

The U.S. is a longstanding leader in international conservation, demonstrated by lawmakers’ sustained, bipartisan support for critical federal programs that underpin efforts around the globe. Leading U.S. policymakers realize that failing to prevent wildlife trafficking and protect globally important natural resources undermines American economic and security interests.

TOGETHER WITH OTHER COUNTRIES, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT:
Works to enhance law enforcement to combat wildlife poaching and disrupt wildlife trafficking networks, while reducing demand for illegal wildlife products.
Works to enhance law enforcement to combat wildlife poaching and disrupt wildlife trafficking networks, while reducing demand for illegal wildlife products.
Invests in protecting fresh water, forests, fertile soil, and fisheries to promote economic stability and ensure food and water security for developing communities.
Invests in protecting fresh water, forests, fertile soil, and fisheries to promote economic stability and ensure food and water security for developing communities.
Helps protect and enhance natural defenses that make communities more resilient and less vulnerable to extreme weather and natural disasters.
Helps protect and enhance natural defenses that make communities more resilient and less vulnerable to extreme weather and natural disasters.
Helps protect and enhance natural defenses that make communities more resilient and less vulnerable to extreme weather and natural disasters.
Helps protect and enhance natural defenses that make communities more resilient and less vulnerable to extreme weather and natural disasters.
Prevents illegal and unregulated wildlife trade, deforestation, and destruction of wildlife habitats in hotspots for zoonotic disease spillover, helping to prevent the rise of global pandemics.
Prevents illegal and unregulated wildlife trade, deforestation, and destruction of wildlife habitats in hotspots for zoonotic disease spillover, helping to prevent the rise of global pandemics.

AMERICANS SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION

NEARLY FOUR IN FIVE AMERICAN VOTERS—REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL AFFILIATION—SUPPORT THE CURRENT, MODEST U.S. INVESTMENT IN INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION.

FOR ONLY A FRACTION OF 1 PERCENT OF THE U.S. FEDERAL BUDGET, INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS PROVIDE AMERICANS WITH BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN VALUE, HELPING TO PREVENT GLOBAL CONFLICT AND INSTABILITY, REDUCING INTERNATIONAL CRIME, GUARDING AGAINST NATURAL DISASTERS, AND PROMOTING LEGAL AND FAIR TRADE.