endangered species

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More than 150,000 people called on Biden Administration to Fully Restore Endangered Species Act.

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. 

 

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The US has the second-highest number of endangered species. California, Florida, and Arizona lead the nation in threatened creatures.

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.

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The biodiversity crisis threatens southern ecosystems — and calls on us for solutions

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.

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US government is funding kills of endangered animals, activists say

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. 

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Over One-third of Biodiversity in the United States is at Risk of Disappearing

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. 

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De-extinction: Bringing animal species back from the brink

Vigliotti, J. (2023, April 23). De-extinction: Bringing animal species back from the brink. CBS News. Retrieved August 27, 2023, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/de-extinction-bringing-animal-species-back-from-the-brink/ 

Dr. Della Garelle, working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is a leader in moving species away from extinction. The process of reproduction began with a breeding program in 1981 and has gained support since then due to more widespread knowledge of biodiversity. For some species, such as a black-footed ferret named Willa, DNA is stored and frozen to clone and research later. This process has led some to wonder about bringing species lost long ago back to life, such as the dodo bird and the woolly mammoth. 

This article explains how environmental science can help researchers understand which endangered species need to be helped the most and how we can contribute to genetic diversity. In 1981, the federal program to breed the black-footed ferret was led by scientists who cared about how extinct species can affect larger communities of animals, plants, and humans. By using frozen cells to hopefully clone species like the black-footed ferret in the future, wildlife biologist Robyn Bortner and other scientists interested in the environment can contribute to the future of these species. Without environmental science, this cloning process would not be possible, let alone of interest to anyone. However, because we know the drastic ramifications that can come from species going extinct— such as a lack of biodiversity or extreme overpopulation of the species’ prey— we are able to not only care but also help the natural world by repopulating old species. I found this article very inspiring because it shows how committed scientists are to the conservation of animal species. 

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EPA sued over reapproval of toxic herbicides using Agent Orange chemical

Perkins, T. (2023, June 19). EPA sued over reapproval of toxic herbicides using Agent Orange chemical. The Guardian. Retrieved August 27, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/19/epa-herbicides-agent-orange-lawsuit 

The reapproval of two toxic herbicides in the United States that have caused huge health problems in the past by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has caused major backlash due to the harm they could do to humans and endangered species alike. The herbicide, which attacks the roots and leaves of weeds to kill them, might be a carcinogen and is linked to respiratory problems and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. One chemical in them was also used to destroy vegetation during the Vietnam War and caused major health problems for both soldiers and innocent civilians. The Center for Food Safety brought the suit against the EPA, but it is unclear whether or not the ingredients will continue to be legal despite the negative effects.  

Reapproving toxic herbicides that have been used in warfare in order to spread on crops in the United States is unethical and unsafe. Not only can these herbicides harm humans, but they also have the potential to hurt or even endanger hundreds of species. No matter how good an herbicide is at controlling vegetation, no amount of perfect vegetables are worth the extinction of animals that are all vital to their respective ecosystems. Starving off certain predators and the overpopulation of the prey that the hurt animals would eat is only part of the consequence of using the Agent Orange chemical as referenced in the article. I am shocked and dismayed that the US Environmental Protection Agency would not speak out more about the harm that this reapproval would do— if not for the sake of the animals or environment, even, for the sake of human health. 

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will decide whether endangered Oregon beetle needs federal protection

Terry, L. (2023, June 1). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will decide whether endangered Oregon beetle needs federal protection. Oregon Capital Chronicle. Retrieved August 27, 2023, from https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/briefs/u-s-fish-and-wildlife-service-will-decide-whether-endangered-oregon-beetle-needs-federal-protection/ 

After concerns about the extinction of the Siuslaw hairy-necked tiger beetle were raised throughout 2020-2022 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service failed to help, the Center for Biological Diversity sued to gain protection for the beetle. In Oregon, this beetle is extremely important to local ecosystems, as the loss of biodiversity in the case of extinction would mean the spread of pests, disease, and loss of food production. Without protections from the Endangered Species Act, the beetle will continue to have its habitat decimated by climate change and human interference for entertainment. 

This article is important to understand how a single species can affect an entire ecosystem. The Siuslaw hairy-necked tiger beetle is a species that is obviously less well-known but is still pertinent to upholding the biodiversity of their coastal habitats. While I found it inspiring that a small population can uphold a significant part of the ecosystem, I was worried about the decreased biodiversity that could come from the extinction of this beetle. This has the potential to disrupt other species in the same area, such as predators of the beetle that may starve without enough sustenance. This article proves that every living being has a role in their ecosystem, and shows how we should not let certain species go unnoticed due to human preference. 

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Federal wildlife officials evaluating status of 4 endangered species in Kentucky

Operle, D. (2023, June 1). Federal wildlife officials evaluating status of 4 endangered species in Kentucky. Hoptown Chronicle. Retrieved August 27, 2023, from https://hoptownchronicle.org/federal-wildlife-officials-evaluating-status-of-4-endangered-species-in-kentucky/

Four native Kentucky species- the Cumberland darter, fanshell clam, oyster mussel, and the Ring Pink mussel-  are now under regular evaluation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in order to prevent their extinction. These reviews, which have helped prevent other plants and animals from going extinct, will collect valuable information about the species such as their population distribution and ideal habitats. The Federal Wildlife Agency cites that many southeastern species have declining populations. Even if the species have been listed as threatened for decades, humans continue to be a primary threat to the aquatic species due to activities such as agriculture and fossil fuel usage. 

This article cites habitat alteration as the biggest threat to these native Kentucky species, especially from building dams. Environmental science can help us understand how to be more sustainable and conserve our resources so that we do not harm other species through our own architecture and self-interest. Understanding that the selfishness of humans can come back to bite us by forcing us to spend money on the protection of the animals we have harmed is crucial to the way that environmental science plays a role in economics, as it likely is more economically sustainable to protect the environment from the get-go instead of trying to fix disasters after the fact. I wonder how much time and money we will need to spend before enough people understand the great consequences of prioritizing humans over the natural world. 

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After helping prevent extinctions for 50 years, the Endangered Species Act itself may be in peril

Flesher, J. (2023, August 4). After helping prevent extinctions for 50 years, the Endangered Species Act itself may be in peril. The Associated Press. Retrieved August 27, 2023, from https://apnews.com/article/endangered-species-eagle-wolf-biden-trump-12d1a8ef6d453ad8f6d4c2b6edb567e8 

Conservative politicians have begun to make attempts to weaken the Endangered Species Act, citing that it is outdated although well-meaning. While the United States Congress has not updated the act since 1992, some environmentalists still are becoming worried that it will not hold up, which would cause many species to be at risk of extinction. In fact, most environmental scientists argue that now is a better time than any to strengthen the act due to the alarmingly high rates of endangerment as of recent, with species such as the spotted owl and snail darter at risk.

This article shows how environmental science can become greatly intertwined with many other areas of study, including politics and economics, as many find environmentalism to be a political stance. While I feel that caring about the natural world should not be controversial, it does not surprise me that certain policies in the Endangered Species Act would be criticized, because no law is perfect. In addition, deciding whether to prioritize spending money on saving land and certain species from extinction versus spending on infrastructure or other human-based activities ties environmental science to the economy, as it is a balancing act to decide how much further humans can interfere with ecosystems before it leads to our own demise. Because animals are a major part of every ecosystem, it is important to recognize how the morals of humans can affect crucial parts of the environment.