For more than three decades, America’s Endangered Species Act has helped conserve threatened and endangered species and the ecosystems on which they depend.
The journal Science reported last September that less than 1 percent of listed species have gone extinct since 1973, while 10 percent of candidate species waiting to be listed have done so. In addition, the populations of at least 30 percent of listed species have been stabilized and are no longer in decline. The law can be improved, but not at the cost of diminishing our commitment to conservation.
Legislation currently under consideration in Congress, including a bill co-sponsored by Sen. Wayne Allard, would render species protections under the Endangered Species Act ineffective by reducing mandatory protections for species and their habitats and shifting to taxpayers the costs of mitigating the impacts of development. Existing provisions in the act that conserve habitat and address threats to species must be maintained if we are to conserve species for future generations.
Biological diversity is the source of critical resources such as food, fiber and medicines essential to human well-being. In Colorado alone, biodiversity contributes significantly to the recreational economy and enjoyment of the outdoors by residents and visitors alike. Properly functioning ecosystems play essential roles such as nutrient cycling, detoxification of wastes, amelioration of climate extremes and maintenance of the hydrological cycle.
Beyond the importance of biological diversity to natural systems and to humans, it is the source of aesthetic, spiritual and intellectual inspiration for many academic disciplines. To the extent that the diversity of life is reduced, those disciplines are also diminished.
Finally, we believe that human beings have an ethical obligation to conserve the Earth’s species, which have an intrinsic value over and above the many benefits they provide to humans. As it stands, the Endangered Species Act articulates Americans’ ethical commitment to conserving our native flora and fauna. Poll after poll has affirmed that Americans embrace this commitment. Large majorities of Americans support existing protections for endangered species and want to see them strengthened, not weakened. To change course after three decades and allow individuals, corporations or government agencies to incrementally push species to extinction is an abdication of our responsibility to future generations.
Given the inescapable links between human welfare and environmental integrity, we believe America should be increasing its efforts toward nature conservation, not diminishing them.
The Endangered Species Act is a safety net to conserve America’s natural heritage. As the U.S. population grows and land development continues unabated, the need for additional protections for species becomes even more urgent. We urge our senators and representatives to promote legislation that strengthens the protections we give our natural heritage. We ask that they oppose any legislation that would lessen the protection of species and the ecosystems on which they depend.
Philip Cafaro is associate professor of philosophy, Barry R. Noon is professor of fishery and wildlife biology and Holmes Rolston III is professor of philosophy at Colorado State University. This article is adapted from a statement signed by them and 63 other CSU faculty but does not represent CSU or Colorado.
