THE ADMINISTRATION’S WAR ON NATURE

President Trump’s complete disregard for the natural world may not come as a surprise anymore—but that doesn’t make it any less appalling.

Over the last year and a half, the administration has launched countless attacks on endangered species protections, diverted funds away from national park maintenance, and opened up millions of acres of our public lands and waters to mining, drilling, and fossil fuel development.

The examples are endless and heartbreaking.

There’s the God Squad’s third-ever meeting, where they paved the way for compliance-free oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. There’s the endless push to commercialize the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, despite historic levels of industry disinterest. And we can’t forget the Interior Department’s recent rule change, which prevents public lands from being leased for conservation.

All of these decisions reflect the Trump administration’s unyielding commitment to development at the expense of the natural world—and it’s clear that they won’t be stopping their war on nature anytime soon.

Just look at the month we’re having.

In early July, the Trump administration moved forward with its biggest attack on the Endangered Species Act yet—removing habitat from the law’s definition of “harm.” This simple language change effectively eliminates protections for the very places endangered and threatened species rely on to survive, and paves the way for companies to mine, drill, and log these habitats without consequences.

It’s absolutely absurd.

Hundreds of thousands of people have submitted comments opposing the change. This is NOT what most Americans want. Researchers have studied the link between habitat destruction and species loss at length. And the ESA’s 99% success rate—thanks in large part to its comprehensive definition of harm—is a known fact.

But if it means giving its industry buddies a boost, the Trump administration is more than willing to put nature at risk. Their decision to gut the ESA—and drastically reduce two national monuments in size just days later—is a testament to that.

So where does that leave us?

The Trump administration is delivering one devastating announcement after another. But they’re forgetting two key facts: the public is unwavering in its support of the natural world, and advocates like us refuse to accept the Trump administration’s vision for our future.

Join us as we make our voices heard!