LTE: Setting the Record Straight for the Endangered Species Act – Defenders of Wildlife

Analysis of the Endangered Species Act in the Context of Sustainable Development

Executive Summary

An evaluation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) reveals its critical role in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contrary to claims that the ESA impedes progress, evidence indicates it is a vital mechanism for balancing environmental protection with economic and societal needs. The Act’s implementation is demonstrably efficient and provides substantial economic and ecological benefits that are integral to achieving SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Operational Efficacy and Compatibility with Infrastructure Development

The ESA’s review process is often mischaracterized as an impediment to development. However, empirical data refutes this assertion, showing that the Act facilitates responsible development in line with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

• An analysis of 88,290 project evaluations conducted between 2008 and 2015 found that no projects were halted or required substantial alteration due to the ESA review process.
• The overwhelming majority of ESA reviews are completed efficiently, with an average duration of 35 days.

This data confirms that the ESA framework successfully integrates environmental safeguards into development projects without causing undue delays or economic disruption, thereby supporting sustainable infrastructure growth.

Economic Contributions of Biodiversity Conservation

The conservation of species and ecosystems, the primary purpose of the ESA, generates significant economic value, directly contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

1. Ecosystem Services: The economic value of ecosystem services in the United States, which are protected by legislation like the ESA, is estimated at $5.3 trillion.
2. Wildlife-Related Tourism: Activities such as wildlife viewing and birdwatching generate approximately $250 billion in economic revenue annually.
3. Agricultural Support: Natural pollinators, including species protected under the ESA, provide tens of billions of dollars in economic benefits to the U.S. agricultural sector.

The ESA’s 50-year history demonstrates a proven track record of fostering conditions that allow for both the prevention of species extinction and the promotion of sustainable economic growth.

Synergistic Relationship Between Biodiversity and Climate Action

The assertion that a choice must be made between protecting endangered species and addressing climate change is a false dichotomy. The global environmental crises of biodiversity loss and climate change are inextricably linked. Achieving SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) requires an integrated approach.

• Mitigating the ecological impacts of anthropogenic climate change is essential to halting the mass extinction of species.
• Conversely, maintaining healthy and robust ecosystems is fundamental to mitigating climate change. Natural habitats and wildlife populations play a crucial role in the sequestration and storage of carbon and other greenhouse gases.

Therefore, the ESA is not a barrier to climate progress but an essential tool in the global effort to build a resilient and sustainable future by protecting the natural systems that regulate the climate.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This goal is central to the article, which focuses on the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The text explicitly discusses the importance of protecting endangered species, preventing extinction, conserving ecosystems, and halting the loss of biodiversity. The article’s main argument is in defense of the ESA’s role in protecting “healthy ecosystems and thriving wildlife populations.”

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article directly links the protection of wildlife and ecosystems to the fight against climate change. It refutes the idea of a conflict between the two, stating that “maintaining healthy ecosystems and wildlife populations will be essential to mitigating climate change given their ability to store and capture carbon and other greenhouse gases.” This connects conservation efforts directly to climate action strategies.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article connects environmental protection with economic benefits, arguing against the claim that the ESA hinders economic development. It cites that a “strong and fully functioning ESA also helps produce and maintain trillions of dollars in economic benefits,” including revenue from wildlife viewing and the value of ecosystem services like pollination, thereby linking conservation to sustainable economic activity.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 15: Life on Land

1. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

   The article’s entire defense of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) aligns with this target. It highlights the ESA’s purpose “to conserve endangered and threatened species” and its success in “prevent[ing] the extinction of endangered species.”

2. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services…

   The article mentions that the purpose of the ESA is to conserve “their ecosystems” in addition to the species themselves. It also refers to the importance of “healthy ecosystems” for both economic and climate-related reasons.

3. Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts.

   The article quantifies the economic value of ecosystems, stating that “The economic benefits of ecosystem services in the U.S. are an estimated $5.3 trillion in value.” This supports the integration of these values into economic and development considerations, which the ESA review process attempts to balance.

SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

   The article argues that protecting biodiversity is a crucial climate change measure. It states that solving the climate crisis requires “maintaining healthy ecosystems and wildlife populations” due to their role in carbon sequestration. This implies that policies like the ESA should be seen as an integral part of national climate strategies.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

1. Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.

   This target is addressed when the article mentions that “Americans engaged in wildlife viewing activities, including birdwatching, generate approximately $250 billion in economic revenue.” This is a clear example of sustainable tourism that relies on protected biodiversity and contributes to economic growth.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 15.5: The article implies an indicator through the successful implementation of national legislation aimed at preventing extinctions. It cites the ESA’s “proven 50-year track record” and the fact that “out of 88,290 projects evaluated between 2008 and 2015, not a single project was stopped” as evidence of the law’s success in balancing protection with other goals. The number of species protected and prevented from extinction by the ESA would be a direct measure.
• Indicator for Target 8.9: A direct quantitative indicator is provided for the economic contribution of sustainable tourism. The article states that “wildlife viewing activities, including birdwatching, generate approximately $250 billion in economic revenue.” This figure can be used to measure the tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP.
• Indicator for Target 13.2: The article implies an indicator related to ecosystem-based climate mitigation. It refers to the “ability [of healthy ecosystems] to store and capture carbon and other greenhouse gases.” The amount of carbon sequestered by protected forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems conserved under policies like the ESA would be a key performance indicator.
• Indicator for Target 15.9: The article provides a monetary value that serves as an indicator for integrating ecosystem values into economic accounts: “The economic benefits of ecosystem services in the U.S. are an estimated $5.3 trillion in value.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: defenders.org