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August 13, 2019

Trump Slashes Endangered Species Act
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The Trump administration finalized changes rolling back the Endangered
Species Act Monday. Regulators will now be allowed to factor in economic
considerations when granting "endangered" status, species classified as
"threatened" will see their protections weakened, and scientists will be
limited in setting climate change-related protections. Critics say the
changes were made to clear the way for mining, drilling and development
projects in areas populated by protected species. Interior Secretary
David Bernhardt is a former lobbyist for the oil and agribusiness
industries. He is currently under investigation for possible ethics
violations. The 46-year-old landmark Endangered Species Act has saved
over 99% of classified animals, plants and insects since its inception.
It's credited with protecting the grizzly bear, the humpback whale and
the bald eagle from extinction, among many others.

Environmental groups, Democratic lawmakers and attorneys general have
vowed to fight the changes. The Sierra Club called the move the "Trump
Extinction Plan." The International Fund for Animal Welfare said in a
statement, "The most comprehensive assessment of biodiversity ever
completed was released earlier this year and shows that more than one
million species are at risk of extinction. These species are
inextricably linked to our own well-being, livelihoods, economies, food
security, and overall survival. Gutting key protections of the
Endangered Species Act is precisely the wrong action for the U.S. to be
taking."


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