Autumn Harriger
Professor Hebard
English 180
26 November 2014
Endangered Species Act: Is it Endangered? Could the Endangered Species Act itself become endangered with the current debates? Recently, many conservation advocates and government officials think so, pointing to the proposed policy change that could make it harder for wildlife to receive protection under the Act. So, what does the future hold for the Endangered Species Act? With more than 40 years since the passage of the ESA in 1973, politicians and environmentalists alike have analyzed the realities of the Act, creating an interesting current state of debate regarding conservation. With poor administration and provisions designed to promote good science and good sense flouted, the Act needs to change and improve to find the best middle available between the suppression of economic activity and the preservation of species within the United States. The Act now more than ever is in need of political cooperation that can both revive and reform it to best protect against future challenges and obstacles otherwise the act will eventually be rendered useless due to it ineffectiveness, falsified science, and lack of consistency. In order to examine the current complications of the Endangered Species Act it is necessary to look at the history and inception of the Act and the debates surrounding this time period. The Endangered Species Act was signed into law in 1973 by President Richard Nixon. Upon signing the ESA,
Since earth was created, there has been a natural phenomenon of species across the globe appearing and disappearing. However, in the past century, many species of animals have been disappearing at an alarming rate. Mainly, this rapidly occurring issue is caused by humans. Humans that contribute to the harmful actions that cause side effects such a pollution, deforestation, habitat loss and poaching. The natural rate of extinction pales in comparison to the extinction rate caused by all of these. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the current rate of extinction is 11,000 times greater than the natural extinction rate. Several different efforts have been made in order to stop or slow down the extinction of earth’s species. The Endangered Species Act is possibly the most successful example of these efforts. It’s main purpose is to get a commitment from the American people that they will work hand in hand to help save species that are at risk of becoming extinct and never returning. This act was put in place in 1973 and since then, no other law about the disappearance of wildlife has been quite as accomplished. Many different species that are protected under this law are either fully recovered or on their way to becoming safer. Laws like these are helping many different creatures left and right, however, at the alarming rate that they are disappearing, something else needs to be done. What people don’t seem to realize is that we depend on many of the animals that we are
One of America’s greatest conservation achievements is the Wilderness Act of 1964. Fifty-two years later, this act has a legacy to withhold. A legacy that meant something in 1964 and remains the same today: to protect unspoiled land. Even though, through this act millions of acres have been conserved, the key word is continue. That is why America should pass laws to preserve the wilderness before developers spoil them.
He announced it was the first symbolic act of “the environmental decade.” Between the years of 1970 and 1972, Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency and signed laws including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Another thing he did was sign executive orders and international agreements on environmental issues. In early 1973, an international conference was held to discuss endangered species. The product of the conference was the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The U.S. needed a new legislation to meet some of the agreement’s provisions and it led to the Endangered Species Act. In Nixon’s State of the Union speech in 1973, he called for stronger wildlife protection. The results of these environmental laws and international agreements made the public extremely happy. Even though Nixon’s intentions were selfish when he got involved in environmental concerns, he responded unquestionably positive. All his hard work helped pave the way for a cleaner society.
Fish and Wildlife Director, Department of Interior, Secretary Bruce Babbitt 's interpretation of the ESA and his characterization of the word “harm”.
Not many people understand the seriousness of endangered species. Some sources go as far as trying to prove that the act does more harm than good. They do not realize how drastically their lives can be changed if one part of the food chain is taken away. In the essay “Why the Beaver Should Thank the Wolf” by Mary Hannibal, the essayist explains that a group of environmental nonprofits would challenge the federal government’s removal of Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in Wyoming. Hannibal does not explain the Endangered Species Act, but according to the The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration it “provides for the conservation of species that are endangered or threatened throughout all or a significant portion of
When signing the Endangered Species Act President Nixon said, “Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed.” The Endangered Species Act was enforced in 1973 providing protection for species that are being threatened in their habitats. Making a point to save endangered animals, not only allows people to see the protected animals living in a free and serene environment, but it invokes a sense of happiness.
A world without animals is a scary thought. There are many animals that will become extinct and many that are endangered. The Endangered Species Act is a good thing because it has provided a set way in helping to protect different species. The Endangered Species Act was signed by past president Richard Nixon, and it was passed with 99% support from Congress. They wanted to protect different species no matter what. Between 40%-50% of endangered species in the U.S. have made improvement, but others are moving toward extinction. The law has helped in the rebirth of 36 species, but a similar number has disappeared. The mixed record on restoration and the impact it has on business has turned the ESA into a one-sided playing field (Male). There are ways humans contribute to species of endangerment by destroying habitats, the introduction of exotic species and hunting. Natural causes such as global warming are another factor that has contributed to species endangerment. The Endangered Species Act has helped to save animals such as the american alligator, the bald eagle, grizzly bears and many others. It is used to prohibit the hunting of these animals. The Endangered Species Act has some negative impacts so there are people who are in support of the while others are not. It could be more effectively enforced by encouraging people to minimize harm to animals and to participate in recovery projects. These recovery projects are being used to help protect endangered species. The
The argument of the people to recover and preserve endangered species was in fact to keep the ESA policy. According to Sahr (n.d.) the ESA has been effective with the Act of protecting endangered species from becoming extinct through
Even if the lands are protected, they are not safe from the ecological burden of protecting our borders. Due to changes in legislation the Border Patrol Agency is exempt from stringent environmental laws. This is true in any of the areas surrounding the border, and they are looking to expand the radius of exemption, to better protect our borders. The Defenders of Wildlife, the Sierra Club, and the Northern Jaguar Project are looking to reinstall a social rule which the United States already implemented with the Endangered Species Act. This legislation created the social rule that no species should be forced into extinction due to human activities. Riders on the Illegal Immigration Act and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and the Real ID act of 2005 allowed this social rule to become obsolete. Social rules changes in favor of the environment occur when the public is largely in support for saving the environment. However this support can be splintered by another need of the country especially when the opposing discourse has a crisis wave to ride. This case shows how the issue of border security triumphs environmental needs due to the pertinence of immigration reform along with the crisis impact caused by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
The Endangered American Wilderness Act, today, protects America’s wilderness areas. Mr. Carter was concerned about the population growth spilling over into the nation’s wilderness population. At the time, strip mining and logging had resulted in already endangered wilderness areas. The act was introduced, in large part, for the generations to come, so that they may enjoy America’s wilderness.
There?s ways that are stopping many species for becoming endangered. The endangered species act of 1973 provides for the conversation of species that are endangered throughout all of their range, and the conversation ecosystem they depend on. The national wildlife refuges main goal is to give endangered species a place to live. It gives habitats to 2170 different species.
The Endangered Species Act (ESA), is helping save animals that people are killing. sometimes for no reason. No one knows why? The ESA was signed by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973.. It was designed to help repopulate animals and help keep them from becoming extinct. The ESA is effective at preventing extinction because it helps keep animals alive and well populated, it increases tourism in National Parks, and also because no animal deserves to die unless it is a danger to someone or something.
Extinction is nothing new to animal and plant species around the earth. Over the course of time on the earth there have been five mass extinctions, with many predicting that a sixth has already begun due to human fault. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was designed to save both animal and plant life from these great feat. The ESA has seen only a 2% recovery rate since it enactment (Why is U.S. Recovery Rate (2%) for Endangered Species So Low?). Many critics and politicians have been calling for a reformation of the act for years. The ESA is in need of a change in the following areas funding distribution, time it takes to list a species on the endangered species list, and habitats on private land.
Since the beginning of life itself, some species have lived and prospered while other species have gone extinct never to be seen again by mankind. Because of this, some would claim that extinction is natural and not significantly problematic to the world that we live in. Others, however, understand that due to climate change, habitat loss, and poaching, more and more species are becoming endangered which leads to a chain reaction that can be devastating to ecosystems. Species such as the Chinook salmon, gorillas, tropical sharks, and polar bears are all directly affected by climate change, species such as northern spotted owls, Sumatran tigers, and lemurs are greatly harmed due to habitat loss, and species such as the sea turtle, Javan rhinoceros, African elephant, and the Red-Fronted Macaw are all affected by poaching driving them all closer and closer to becoming extinct.
that in the midst of all this that anything can be accomplished at all, but