Scientists Propose New Protection for ESA
AISHANI SELLATHURAI Editor In Chief
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) protects around 1,600 species that are on the brink of extinction. It has been known to be quite successful over the past few decades. Saving species such as the American Bald Eagle has lead them be credited with high success stories. Scientists blame Trump for weakening this very act due to many economical and land property issues. About 273 leading university scientists signed a letter of the accusation and proposal which was addressed to Interior Secretary Ryan Zeke and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
The proposal explains that the species’ critical habitat should be evaluated through its current range rather than looking through a larger area and allowing it to be occupied once the species has recovered. “From my point if view, scientists are making the right decision by restricting the economic activity,” freshman Sharon Nathaniel said. “First of all, economic activities can be resumed in a later date when the threat of endangered animals have decreased. Since president trump wants to focus more on economic activity, scientists would have more trouble on helping these species get back on track to a stable population because the scientist would need to also worry about the political side of helping the environment. So therefore I believe that these scientists are making the right decision by restricting the economic activity.”
The proposal had long been controversy since it takes away from the commercial life. Factories, mines, and other systems would have to be placed aside in order to create a safe environment for the endangered species. Developers and critics argue that the act is a restriction and violation amongst their property rights and economic activities.
“I think that scientists are justified in being outraged because there’s a point where we need to stop focusing on profits and protect the earth,” junior Eric Kusnanto said. “After all, this is the only home we have. I feel like we as a society need to learn to think long-term. There’s a saying that a society is great when the elderly grow trees even though they won’t live to see the fruits of their labor. Instead we are obsessed with small petty things like how much income we make”