Since earth was created, there has been a natural phenomenon of species across the globe appearing and disappearing. However, in the past century, many species of animals have been disappearing at an alarming rate. Mainly, this rapidly occurring issue is caused by humans. Humans that contribute to the harmful actions that cause side effects such a pollution, deforestation, habitat loss and poaching. The natural rate of extinction pales in comparison to the extinction rate caused by all of these. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the current rate of extinction is 11,000 times greater than the natural extinction rate. Several different efforts have been made in order to stop or slow down the extinction of earth’s species. The Endangered Species Act is possibly the most successful example of these efforts. It’s main purpose is to get a commitment from the American people that they will work hand in hand to help save species that are at risk of becoming extinct and never returning. This act was put in place in 1973 and since then, no other law about the disappearance of wildlife has been quite as accomplished. Many different species that are protected under this law are either fully recovered or on their way to becoming safer. Laws like these are helping many different creatures left and right, however, at the alarming rate that they are disappearing, something else needs to be done. What people don’t seem to realize is that we depend on many of the animals that we are
The bald eagle is the most well known endangered species because it is the nation's symbol. It is suppose to stand for freedom and the American way, but if we allow the bald eagle to become extinct how can we let something that doesn't exist anymore stand for freedom and the American way. Being the symbol of the nation, the bald eagle was put on the endangered species list faster than most species. When the bald eagle reached its low point in the 1960's (400 pairs), it was put on the endangered species list. The many federal acts or programs, the "Endangered Species Act" being the most effective, that were created for the bald eagle show how much the government cares about the symbol of our
One of America’s greatest conservation achievements is the Wilderness Act of 1964. Fifty-two years later, this act has a legacy to withhold. A legacy that meant something in 1964 and remains the same today: to protect unspoiled land. Even though, through this act millions of acres have been conserved, the key word is continue. That is why America should pass laws to preserve the wilderness before developers spoil them.
One of the only animals you can find North Carolina is the red wolf. According to Christopher Ketcham, only 47 red wolves are left in North Carolina wild (Ketcham, 2016). Protecting this species is going to take a lot of effort because it’s already at the edge of extinction. Some people might not want to due to the fact of money must be involved. The safety of the animal and its habitat is going to take tremendous money to keep up with the cost of providing what is needed. Although the cost is outstanding and unimaginable, the end result will be worth more than what was put into saving the species. Losing one species may change the food chain which can cause a disruption in the resources farmers and companies need to make the needs we, humans, want. These reasons won’t convince people to fund the protection of biodiversity loss, but organization has been made to protect and enforce laws to help protect species. One of these organization is called, The United Nations Environment Programm (UNEP). This organization tells the responsibilities of humans, management of forests and other preventions of biodiversity loss (Briefing PapersWorldConferences, n.d.). Another simple and most common reason to save the species and every other species is, simply put, “the fact we have a place that’s globally significant for biodiversity right here in North
Fish and Wildlife Director, Department of Interior, Secretary Bruce Babbitt 's interpretation of the ESA and his characterization of the word “harm”.
Not many people understand the seriousness of endangered species. Some sources go as far as trying to prove that the act does more harm than good. They do not realize how drastically their lives can be changed if one part of the food chain is taken away. In the essay “Why the Beaver Should Thank the Wolf” by Mary Hannibal, the essayist explains that a group of environmental nonprofits would challenge the federal government’s removal of Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in Wyoming. Hannibal does not explain the Endangered Species Act, but according to the The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration it “provides for the conservation of species that are endangered or threatened throughout all or a significant portion of
The United States is full of amazing habitats for numerous animal species. There are many examples of species that have been eliminated from the American landscape for economic benefit of a few individuals. There are many examples of species hunted and in some cases eradicated, but I believe there is no example that has had as many species affected in a single area as the Florida everglades. The number of available bird species in the everglades made it an ideal location for the mass slaughter of birds for their feathers. Now, and in the future, if people wish to preserve natural spaces, we need to understand how we interact with the environment and how our actions can impact these delicate ecosystems.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is the primary agency that works to conserve, protect, and enhance the nation's fish and wildlife by providing sustainable healthy environments for future generations. It is through these three basic principles of ‘conserve, protect and enhance’ the USFWS is able to bring programs that both directly affect the health and well-being of migratory birds, fish and endangered species. In most cases it is through habitat protection that enables the USFWS to carry out these three principles. The Small Wetlands Program (SWP) is one such program that the USFWS utilizes to maintain the health of migratory birds in the United States.
The public policy of the ESA had multiple issues in the case of Babbitt v. Sweet Home Chapter. There have been legislative issues between the ESA and Congress in regards to the inconsistency of authority (Jennings, 2010). In addition, the lack of communication between Congress and the FWA caused discrepancies on how to best protect the habitat (Jennings, 2010). The public policy also has issues on an economic standpoint due to the cost of resources on the basis to support the ESA or abolish the Act (Sahr, n.d.).
Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), the crowned jewel of the nation’s 544 refuges is in danger of destruction (Lamar and Markey 12). ANWR has been in existence since 1960 and has slowly become one of the most controversial topics to hit Congress. ANWR is composed of 19 million acres on the northeast coast of Alaska. Although the government has been provided with this immense land they are fighting to gain more land. Why? ANWR is the second biggest oil field that is owned by the U.S. Now the government wants more land to construct oil reserves. The refuge is home to many endangered species such as migratory birds, polar bears, and wolves (Lynne and Roberts 1). Most of ANWR’s designated oil area is owned by indigenous Alaskan
The audience is left horrified by such glaring numbers, and now understands why there needs to be more enforcement - to eliminate the many deaths of our precious birds. By citing evidence, the author is able to establish that his concerns are true, strengthening his line of argumentation in the
What led to the Duck-In was the signing of the Migratory Bird Treaty. The treaty was made to prevent sportsmen in Canada and the United States from hunting ducks during their nesting season. Alaska did not have to abide by this but when it became a state it had to abide by. The way the people found out about the treaty was when the game warden came to Barrow. The treaty was passed to protect ducks from getting hunted during nesting season by the hunters in Canada and the contiguous united states. Soon after that the first arrest happened. The arrest was on Tommy Pikok Sr. because they were told not to hunt during nesting season and he went to go and shoot a duck and walked around with it in his hand while socializing with other people.
Extinction is nothing new to animal and plant species around the earth. Over the course of time on the earth there have been five mass extinctions, with many predicting that a sixth has already begun due to human fault. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was designed to save both animal and plant life from these great feat. The ESA has seen only a 2% recovery rate since it enactment (Why is U.S. Recovery Rate (2%) for Endangered Species So Low?). Many critics and politicians have been calling for a reformation of the act for years. The ESA is in need of a change in the following areas funding distribution, time it takes to list a species on the endangered species list, and habitats on private land.
Bill Freedmen, author of “Endangered Species—Human Causes Of Extinction and Endangerment” notes, “scientists approximate that present extinction rates are 1,000 to 10,000 times higher than the average natural extinction rate.” These distressing numbers should be acted upon to save the endangered species and avoid the catastrophic change to this planet if these species were to become extinct. In order to produce change, people need to recognize that habitat loss, climate change, and poaching are all factors in why our animal species are going extinct.
that in the midst of all this that anything can be accomplished at all, but