Home
Donate Sign up for e-network
CENTER for BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY Because life is good
ABOUT ACTION PROGRAMS SPECIES NEWSROOM PUBLICATIONS SUPPORT

Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player

PUBLISHED Letters to the Editor By FLORIDA CENTER SUPPORTERS


"Endangered Species Act: A U.S. Success Story We All Should Be Proud of"

The Ledger, August 29, 2013

The Endangered Species Act turns 40 this year, and I, for one, am thankful it's around. No other law has done more to save America's most vulnerable plants and animals from extinction. Here in Florida, we can thank the act for putting a long list of species on the road toward recovery, including crocodiles, wood storks and manatees.

Sometimes it's hard to find much to celebrate when you look around and see how we continue to find new ways to destroy the only planet known to sustain life.

But it gives me hope that we now have 40 years of evidence showing we can stop the extinction of plants and animals whenever we show the political will to protect them by using the Endangered Species Act.

Even though there are always some shortsighted politicians in Congress working to weaken the act, I think it's pretty clear it has proved to be one of the most effective conservation laws ever passed.

It has prevented the extinction of 99 percent of the species placed under its protection. What law has a better record than that? I know that right here in Florida, if not for the Endangered Species Act, we would never have the chance to see alligators, crocodiles or manatees.

I rarely get a chance to lay my eyes on any of these species in person, but they're part of what keeps this region diverse and healthy, and it heartens me to know they're out there. The Endangered Species Act is an American success story we can all be proud of.

Gregory Esteve
Lake Wales, Florida


Copyright © 2013 The Ledger.com.

This article originally appeared here.