GOLDEN, Colo. (Jan. 27, 2021) — In his January 20th inaugural speech, President Joe Biden shared the incoming administration’s most pressing priorities. Among these were uniting the nation, the eradication of COVID-19, and taking proactive measures to curb climate change.
In order to address the climate change crisis, the president is following the advice of science experts and transitioning away from an energy dominance agenda that relies solely on the extraction of fossil fuels. Biden has released multiple Executive Orders to slow the advance of climate change, which is damaging many areas of American life, from the exacerbation of natural disasters like wildfire to diminishing public health.
Notable Executive Orders aimed at restoring and amplifying essential environmental protections include a halt on new oil and gas drilling on federal public lands and a resolve to protect at least 30 percent of U.S. land and waters by 2030.
“These actions are a firm and decisive step toward a healthier environment and improved access to our nation’s special places, like the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) for all Americans,” said Teresa Martinez, Executive Director for the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, an organization dedicated to completing and protecting the 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. “Outdoor recreation drives significant commerce, especially in the West, and ensuring that our special and scenic places, especially those along the Continental Divide remain intact and protected from future development is critical to ensuring their existence for lovers of our wild places. The livelihood of local communities and businesses that rely on outdoors tourism, including gateway communities along the Continental Divide Trail, requires investment by the administration in the outdoor recreation economy over oil and gas development. The President’s directives are a wonderful indication that this investment is important and crucial to building new, robust and sustainable economies for our communities.”
The pause and review on the sale of oil and gas leases on federal land is grounded in climate science and will help us begin to address the impacts of the warming of the Earth that threaten species, ecosystems, and human life. Similarly, Biden’s aim to protect 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters from development by 2030 would also protect wildlife habitats, decelerate extinction rates, and curb biodiversity loss. “The 30 x 30 initiative will help ensure that landscapes like those along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, remain healthy, vibrant and intact not just for future generations of CDT visitors, but for the landscapes, watersheds, and creatures great and small that call these places home,” Martinez says.
“The many anti-environmental policies foisted by President Trump during his term placed one of the nation’s most potent economies at risk, our outdoor recreation economy,” said Patrick Webber, co-founder of Fourpoints Bar, a Colorado business dedicated to protecting and preserving public lands. “Outdoor recreation generates $887 billion annually in consumer spending and creates $7.6 million American jobs, many here in Colorado, which is why we support legislation like the CORE Act to protect these important resources. Nationwide, consumer spending on outdoor recreation nearly triples spending on gasoline and fuels; in Colorado, the outdoor recreation economy generates four times more direct jobs than oil, gas and mining combined. The reasoning shown by Joe Biden to protect public lands, especially halting oil and gas development on these lands, is watertight.”
The Continental Divide Trail Coalition looks forward to working with the new administration and all of our elected officials to ensure that science guides our decisions, and that public and transparent processes are utilized to address issues facing all of our nation’s lands, waters, forests, parks, and trails. It is an exciting era for all of us and our ability to ensure our special places remain healthy and vibrant, not just for today, but also for generations to come.
About Fourpoints Bar
Fourpoints Bar is a Denver-based business founded by two brothers from Colorado, Patrick and Kevin Webber, who have a passion for the outdoors, recreation, and clean eating. They sought to create a unique bar that simply fuels you better, with healthy and delicious ingredients that provide proper nutrition. Fourpoints Bar produces an innovative, on-the-go product that is 100% real food with zero additives, providing long-lasting energy for any type of activity.
About the Continental Divide Trail
The CDT is one of the world’s premiere long-distance trails, stretching 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide. Designated by Congress in 1978, the CDT is the highest, most challenging and most remote of the 11 National Scenic Trails. It provides recreational opportunities ranging from hiking to horseback riding to hunting for thousands of visitors each year. While 95% of the CDT is located on public land, approximately 150 miles are still in need of protection.
About the Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The CDTC was founded in 2012 by volunteers and recreationists hoping to provide a unified voice for the Trail. Working hand-in-hand with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal land management agencies, the CDTC is a non-profit partner supporting stewardship of the CDT. The mission of the CDTC is to complete, promote and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, a world-class national resource. For more information, please visit continentaldividetrail.org.
