Environmental Controversy - The Endangered Species Act

This environmental controversy focuses on species biodiversity and The Endangered Species Act of 1973. Many issues are being debated between those who want more protection of species and those who are looking out for commercial interests. Review the background information. Then using the references along with resources from your own research, write a 1-2 page response to the questions below. Remember to cite your sources using proper APA format.

Background Information

Most conservation biologists and wildlife specialists argue that the Endangered Species Act of 1973 could be made more effective if whole threatened habitats are protected rather than just individual species (that is, the "Sanctuary Approach"). By saving habitats and understanding how endangered and threatened species interact with their habitats, we may be able to make species recovery programs more effective. Critics worry that saving entire habitats will only lead to more violations of the rights of private landowners.

In a recent debate, conservationists are keen to apply the Endangered Species Act to the disastrous impact of climate change on habitats. Others oppose this interpretation. Efforts have also been made to weaken the Endangered Species for business leaders who say it imposes rules and protections that cost them money and halts commerce.

References

Use these references to help answer the questions that follow. You may want to also search the Internet for additional resources.

Doubly endangered. (2008). Nature, 454(7208), 1029. Retrieved October 8, 2009 from http://search.ebscohost.com, doi:10.1038/4541029a
Link to article

Gerhart, M. (2009). Climate change and the endangered species act: The difficulty of proving causation. Ecology Law Quarterly, 36(1), 167-199.

Link to article.

U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2009, May 21). Endangered Species Act: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has incomplete information about effects on listed species from Section 7 Consultations. GAO Reports, 1-34.

Link to article.

Williams, J. (2009). Taking the teeth out of a pit bull: Limiting ESA protections for the polar bear. Ecology Law Quarterly, 36(2), 591-597.
Link to article.

Questions

Based on what you have read, should the Endangered Species Act be strengthened to protect the nation's overall biodiversity? (For example, should it be applied to climate change as a form of endangerment?) Or should the Endangered Species Act be rewritten to benefit commercial interests such as logging, mining, oil and gas? Support your view with examples from research.