L.A. City Council Members Aim to Prevent Amazon Deforestation

Motion Introduced to Transform City’s Purchasing and Contracting Practices

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles City Councilmembers Paul Koretz (5th District) and David Ryu (4th District) presented a motion today to put an end to City purchases of products derived from the deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest. The Councilmembers further called for the City to end business with corporations involved in deforestation practices. The Bureau of Sanitation, Chief Procurement Officer, and Department of General Services, must provide a report to City Council in 45 days on how the City will implement this motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Following is a statement from Linda Escalante, Southern California Legislative Director for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):

“This motion is a bold step for the City of Los Angeles to take tangible steps in preventing the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. For many of us, the Amazon seems so far away, but, in fact, what we buy and eat here has very real effects there. The Amazon helps regulate the global climate and provides critical habitat for multiple species. As we face the climate and biodiversity crises and the threat of losing up to one million species due to human activity, it’s important for everyone to help. With this move, the City is embracing transformative change to help save our planet and the species that call it home.”

More Information:

Bold Action Needed to Halt Amazon Deforestation

The Amazon Is Still on Fire

The Issue with Tissue: How Americans are Flushing Forests Down the Toilet

U.N. biodiversity Report: A Million Reasons to Better Protect Our Natural Systems

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago; Bozeman, Montana; and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC

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