Target: U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum
Goal: Reinstate potential lifesaving protections for endangered animals and plants.
Endangered species are in even more danger of becoming extinct because important environmental protections have been removed from the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by the Trump administration. These animals formerly lived in protected habitats, where activities such as development and mining were illegal. While harming an endangered species is still not permitted, destroying their habitats is now allowed, making it so businesses will be able to utilize destructive practices in areas where animals are on the brink of extinction. Doing things such as conducting mining and drilling operations creates more pollutants, which–in turn—quickly kills animals and plants in these environments and wipes out their available food and shelter sources. Such actions further make it difficult for these animals to breed since their natural behaviors become disrupted by intrusions such as equipment noise and land manipulation.
Other non-endangered animals are also harmed as a result of such irresponsible actions leaving people with less food sources. Furthermore, even though businesses will likely profit in the short term from these practices, long-term income is never sustainable since resources eventually run out. Sign this petition and demand protections for endangered species be reinstated to better ensure animals, plants, and people can continue to thrive.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Secretary Burgum,
Many animals that are limited in number may soon no longer exist because the Trump administration has changed the definition of harm in the Endangered Species Act of 1973. While harming endangered species is still illegal, businesses will now be able to destroy these animals’ habitats by conducting activities such as mining and logging. If such activities are performed where fragile animals and plants live, these species will likely die off as a result of being adversely affected by pollutants as well as by starvation since their food sources will also die as a result of no longer being able to live in a healthy environment. Furthermore, wrecking these habitats makes it so endangered animals will not have materials to build their homes because much of the vegetation needed to do so is located in the environments that would be destroyed. Breeding will additionally be negatively affected since the animals’ regular behaviors will be disrupted by things such as loud noises and more people invading their living spaces.
Over utilizing natural resources can only sustain financial stability for so long since resources eventually run out. Therefore, practicing these activities irresponsibly ultimately results in a weak or failed economy. People will further experience more sickness since things like over mining spreads extra pollutants into the air and water, making it easier to develop illnesses such as asthma and heavy metal poisoning. Additionally, vital food sources for people will disappear since other animals and plants will no longer be able to survive in stable ecosystems. For these reasons, I demand you propose protections for endangered animals and plants be reinstated to not only better ensure their survival but to also preserve our earth for future generations.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: LaggedOnUser
