Trump Administration Targets Wildlife Protections
The Trump administration has unveiled controversial plans to significantly weaken the Endangered Species Act, prompting warnings from conservation experts that the move could accelerate America's extinction crisis. The proposed regulatory changes, announced on Wednesday, represent one of many attempts by Donald Trump to dismantle critical wildlife protections throughout his presidency.
Key Changes to Species Protection
The proposed overhaul would grant federal authorities greater power to consider economic impacts when designating critical habitats, potentially prioritising commercial interests over environmental concerns. Perhaps most alarmingly for conservationists, the plan would remove safeguards protecting species from future threats, including those arising from the climate crisis.
Another significant change involves rescinding the "blanket rule" that automatically provides threatened species with the same level of protection as those classified as endangered. Under the new system, newly listed plants and animals could face years without protections while officials develop tailored regulations, with delays expected to worsen due to staffing cuts at relevant agencies.
The definition of "critical habitat" would also be narrowed, excluding areas where species don't currently live, even if these locations were historically part of their habitat range.
Conservationists Sound Alarm
Stephanie Kurose, deputy director of government affairs at the Center for Biological Diversity, didn't mince words in her assessment. "This plan hacks apart the Endangered Species Act and creates a blueprint for the extinction for some of America's most beloved wildlife," she stated, adding that the proposals represent "a death sentence for wolverines, monarch butterflies, Florida manatees" and countless other vulnerable species.
The four new rules, advanced by the US Department of Interior alongside the US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, largely mirror efforts Trump made during his first term to limit the landmark 1973 environmental legislation, which were subsequently reversed under the Biden administration.
Trump officials defended the proposal, claiming it would rein in what they perceive as regulatory overreach that has hindered resource development and created excessive burdens for businesses and landowners. US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated the rules would protect species while "respecting the livelihoods of Americans who depend on our land and resources."
Extinction Emergency Looms
These proposed changes emerge during what scientists describe as an extinction emergency. A 2019 assessment from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services revealed that roughly one million species face extinction threats, including approximately 40% of amphibians and a third of reef-forming corals, marine mammals, and sharks.
Insects, which form the foundation of most terrestrial ecosystems, are experiencing rapid decline. Alarmingly, about 80% of insect species remain unidentified, with some disappearing before scientists can even name them.
The potential consequences extend beyond individual species. Habitat damage can trigger devastating domino effects throughout interconnected ecosystems, where the loss of one species leads to the extinction of others dependent upon it.
Public opinion appears strongly opposed to weakening environmental protections. A 2023 poll found that 80% of registered voters supported full funding of the Endangered Species Act, while 73% considered biodiversity important to their daily lives.
Environmental advocates are preparing to mobilise against the latest proposal, with a 30-day comment period opening on Friday. Kristen Boyles, an attorney for Earthjustice, emphasised: "Trump's attacks on the Endangered Species Act seriously misread the room. Most people are not going to allow the sacrifice of our natural world to a bunch of billionaires and corporate interests."
