FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

CONTACT:

Laura Rusu (Oxfam America) 202-459-3739 or Lrusu@oxfamamerica.org

Karen Foerstel (The Nature Conservancy) 917-652-2642 kfoerstel@tnc.org

CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION:

INCREASED INTERNATIONAL FUNDING NEEDED TO

PROTECT AMERICAN COMMUNITIES HERE AT HOME

WHAT: Leaders from religious, national security, development and conservation organizations will come together Thursday to call on Congress to improve the lack of immediate and significant investments for adaptation solutions in countries hardest hit by climate change.

To effectively combat the social, economic, environmental and security impacts that climate change will have on American communities, Congress must not only take action within U.S. borders but also invest in vulnerable communities and natural resources around the world to help keep them strong enough to overcome the threats of our changing climate.

WHO: Rev. Jim Wallis, President and CEO of Sojourners, the largest network of progressive Christians in the United States.

Mark Tercek, President and CEO of The Nature Conservancy

Raymond C. Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America

Brigadier General Stephen A. Cheney, USMC (Ret.), Board Member of the American Security Project

WHEN: Thursday May 20, 2010 11am-12pm EST

WHERE: In the comforts of your office, please dial: 1-800-895-0231

Conference ID: ADAPTATION

WHY: Droughts, floods and other climate impacts are already taking a toll on vulnerable communities and natural resources around the world, and even forcing entire communities to flee their homes. Food and water shortages, the spread of diseases and massive migration could trigger political instability and destabilize already shaky governments and economies around the world, which could draw the U.S. more frequently into conflict situations. Preparing for climate-related disasters before they strike and investing in the resilience of vulnerable communities and natural resources would prevent much higher costs in the future and improve our national security.

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Jim Wallis is the founder and president of Sojourners, the largest network of progressive Christians in the United States focused on the biblical call to social justice. Wallis is also author of the New York Times bestsellers God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It and The Great Awakening: Seven Ways To Change The World, Reviving Faith & Politics. His latest book is Rediscovering Values: On Wall Street, Main Street, and Your Street.

Sojourners' mission is to articulate the biblical call to social justice, inspiring hope and building a movement to transform individuals, communities, the church, and the world. Visit www.sojo.net, and www.GodsPolitics.com.