Biden boosts wildlife protection efforts previously dialed back

The Biden administration has reinstated protections for at-risk animals and plants, a pivot from previous policies.

Catrin Einhorn reports for The New York Times.

In short:

The administration's finalized rules enhance the Endangered Species Act, allowing for more robust protection of species threatened by climate change and other factors.
The rules prohibit economic considerations from influencing decisions on species protection, addressing a key concern among environmentalists.
Critics, particularly from industry and Republican ranks, argue that these protections could hamper economic activities and are gearing up for legal challenges.

Key quote:

"As species face new and daunting challenges, including climate change, degraded and fragmented habitat, invasive species, and wildlife disease, the Endangered Species Act is more important than ever to conserve and recover imperiled species now and for generations to come.”

— Martha Williams, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Why this matters:

The process of listing a species as endangered or threatened under the ESA involves scientific assessment of its status and threats. However, politics can significantly influence this process and the implementation of protections. Case in point: in 2018, lawmakers wanted the EPA to ignore impacts of pesticides on endangered species.

www.nytimes.com

Biden boosts wildlife protection efforts previously dialed back

Fragmented forests sequester less carbon

EU countries are bailing out fossil fuels instead of funding the green transition, Greenpeace warns

Experts: You have some power to reduce your AI environmental footprint

Indigenous cultural practices are a climate solution, report finds

Carbon captured

After a civil rights complaint, Chicago built an extensive air-monitoring network

Trump’s Energy Secretary says ‘cold is larger killer’ during record European heatwave

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.