Tobias, J. (2018, October 18). Revealed: US moves to keep endangered species discussions

secret. Retrieved November 18, 2018, from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/18/trump-administration-us-endangered-species-discussions-secret

 

The Trump Administration is attempting to limit the openness of information regarding endangered species. This includes the status of species on the endangered species list, as well as the addition of new ones. Some think that this could put animals in danger, and make it more difficult for the public to judge the effectiveness of the Fish and Wildlife Service. The president, however, is motivated by the extreme backlash the government has felt against attempts to weaken protections for species. The Freedom of Information Act can be used by citizens to obtain the information from the government, but Trump is advising employees to “take a less transparent approach” to dealing with such requests.

 

From an environmentalist’s perspective, this movement by Trump is a disaster. Transparency ensures a balanced approach to conservation. However, when a conservative government leads change and there is no check by more liberal influences, there will be consequences for the environment. Also, beyond environmentalism, this approach goes against a core value of American politics. Operating in secret, with the intent of hiding actions from the people, is not a democratic way of governing. Endangered species are too vulnerable for any more losses to be made in the effort to protect them, and the governments needs to shift in the direction of more conservation, not less.