Protecting Endangered Species Benefits Our Economy

Source: www.counterpunch.org

Most people believe that protecting endangered species will hurt our economy because it puts restrictions on businesses, since the gov’t has to preserve certain habitats and businesses can’t expand. However, the ESA is one of the most flexible environmental laws in the US that protects species while boosting the economy.

The following are ways that will improve economic growth due to the protection of wildlife:

The ESA provides national economic benefits by boosting tourism in wildlife areas:
Recreational activities such as wildlife watching and visits in national park, is generating about $45 billion and provides about 860,000 private sector jobs.

 States with the most listed species have gained economic growth:
California, Florida, and Hawaii have among the highest number of federally listed species and were ranked in 2005 as among the states with the 15 highest economic growth rates. These states have also been shown to have strict regulations on endangered species, and are still gaining economic power.

The Act provides millions of dollars to local communities who engage in wildlife protections:
In Florida, the total economic value of keeping the ecosystems healthy in Clay, Duval, Putnam, and St. Johns counties is about $3 billion each year.

With the previous data we are able to notice changes not only for the reduction of species disappearing, but we are noticing an improvement in our economy as well. So for people who are against of wildlife protection, they should research the effects of it on the economy. Because according to the ESA, the benefits of having regulations for animals and plants outweighs the consequences on the economy.