EarthJustice ( 2023, August 21).More than 150,000 people called on Biden Administration to Fully Restore Endangered Species Act. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://earthjustice.org/press/2023/more-than-150000-people-called-on-biden-administration-to-fully-restore-endangered-species-act

As of August 21st 2023, more than 150,000 people are calling upon the Biden Administration to restore the endangered species act. We are amidst the sixth major extinction phase, as being able to restore the endangered species is not a matter of a choice or even an option, rather it is a necessity. In order for our future generations to thrive in a healthy world, we must realize the truths and urgency of preventing extinction of certain animals within a biodiverse ecosystem as we are reminded that extinction is permanent. 

This ties to environmental science as the ecosystems affected by the mass extinction can be regarded as the science between the animals’ environments and the level of action we are taking in order to save them. Depending on the amount of effort that is given to help a specific ecosystem, we may either face extinction of some of the most well known species or we could learn to adapt and help build on restoring them. My reaction to this was that we need to take every precaution possible in order to help the ecosystems. I was also not aware of the severity of the instance we are facing as we are now in the 6th mass extinction. 

Paradis, T ( 2023, June 5).The US has the second-highest number of endangered species. California, Florida, and Arizona lead the nation in threatened creatures. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.businessinsider.com/us-second-for-most-number-of-endangered-species-2023-6

This article on endangered species starts off by talking about how the United States of America is ranked second in regards to number of endangered species, as the top states being California first, Florida second, and Arizona third. The main threat seems to be the increase in annual production of crops other than timber. Although there are mainly bad issues within this topics, there are some positives as the global threat to birds has decreased 4.7%. It seems as if the information that is given can almost always be upsetting, however the benefit that comes out of it is that there becomes a sense of urgency to fix the issues. 

Those endangered species are a result of many environmental factors as mentioned before, the science behind it is the ability to track the positives and the negatives coming out of this situation. Behind the research shown, there is always a large amount of data being recorded about these specific factors, relating to the environments and their fitness depending on the situation. My reaction to this was that I was surprised how highly we are ranked for most endangered species, as well as how my home state: California, is leading the charge of most endangered species.

Southern Environmental Law Center ( 2023, February 28).The biodiversity crisis threatens southern ecosystems — and calls on us for solutions. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.southernenvironment.org/news/the-biodiversity-crisis-threatens-southern-ecosystems-and-calls-on-us-for-solutions/

The protection of bio-diverse ecosystems is a huge factor in our success in protecting our planet, as it’s constantly addressed as a huge problem. With that in mind, we now begin to look for solutions to our problems, and more specifically in the south. Within the south, they have taken measures to ensure the safety of their endangered species, among the species there 99% of them have been saved due to a law signed in 1973. To ensure this help to continue, they have made note of climate change as well as southern wildlife. To continue to protect wildlife, they have taken vast measures, those including: protected habitats, advocate for imperiled species, support of climate wildlife decisions, and are in support of change that will help. 

This is once again related to environmental science since within the planet, more specifically in the south end of the U.S.A. we are facing a problem with dealing with endangered species in bio-diverse ecosystems. Environmental science can be found to be the study of our environments, this is a key example as we study why we face such issues with endangered species and how to deny the ability of them going extinct. My initial reaction to this information was the question of how we could further help the wildlife in these environments and if there is more that we could do to help if the procedures in place do not work to its full potential.

Perkins, T ( 2023, August 31).US government is funding kills of endangered animals, activists say. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/31/government-agencies-accused-kill-endangered-animal

This article jumps right in as it shows how the US federal Government has been accused of protecting endangered species while also forming groups to kill those species, which can lead to their extinction. The people had begun to form petitions to stop the killings however, to their best efforts, it has yet to be done. The extinction is noted to not be an abstraction rather it is presented as clear to the public. In order for the idea of killings to stop to come into effect, we need to place a greater level of enforcement of the law of stopping the killings, leading to it having a greater impact. 

This is related to environmental science as it begins to describe the endangered species in these specific environments. The science behind it is the ability to record the deaths of these species and ways to protect them moving forward. My initial reaction was that this is horrible and something we need to put to an end almost immediately. Within the topic of environmental science, one key thing I have learned is the study of environments and how well they are able to survive in them. With that being said, if these animals can not survive with hunting and other environmental factors, we can do our part in attempting to eliminate what is causing these impacts. 

NatureServe ( 2023, February 6). Over One-third of Biodiversity in the United States is at Risk of Disappearing. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.natureserve.org/news-releases/over-one-third-biodiversity-united-states-risk-disappearing

The article starts off by talking about how we are amidst a time period where mass amounts of species within an biodiversity ecosystem are becoming extinct. Within the report Biodiversity in focus, it is made clear that 34% of plants, 40% of animals are at risk of extinction, and that 41% of those ecosystems are at risk of collapsing. They then shift their focus to the fact that 2/5ths of the ocean are in trouble, as we need to begin to find the urgency to do what we 

can before there is no time left. Ecosystems to make note of when it comes to endangerment, the wetlands seem to be a high focal point for what is in danger. The main threats to biodiversity include the following: habitat degradation, invasive species, dams, as well as climate change are at fault for the severity of the problems faced by biodiversity. 

This is related to environmental science as this involves all types of ecosystems. The study of biodiversity is relevant to environmental science as you begin to measure the amount of different animals and how well they are able to thrive in that specific ecosystem. My reaction to this information about the health of our ecosystems was that we need to find ways to adapt to the changes that have been made in order for there to be a better outcome. With biodiversity in mind, if we are not able to learn how to conserve the animals there as well as find ways to maintain and boost them and their health, then we could see more animals go extinct.