Our action this week is urging our members of Congress to protect the Endangered Species Act. There have been recent proposals within both the Administration and Congress to weaken the act and reduce its effectiveness. The species listed under the act are our “canaries in the coal mine”. They warn us of problems in the environment that could threaten our health and survival.

We are called to care for all God’s creation, including the millions of other plants and animals with which we share our planet. In 1991, General Convention passed a resolution advocating for the reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), demonstrating our commitment to this law and supporting its continuation. In our Episcopal Covenant to Care of Creation, “we commit to form and restore loving, liberating, life-giving relationships with all of Creation.”

For over 50 years, the Endangered Species Act framework has protected the most vulnerable species from extinction. With a 99% success rate at preventing the extinction of animals and plants in the United States, it is one of the most effective mechanisms we have for protecting wildlife. Preventing species loss is crucial for biodiversity, ecosystem health, public health, resilience against natural disasters, and much more. The ESA framework not only lists endangered and threatened species, it also supports the drafting and implementation of recovery plans to prevent extinction. This often includes protecting habitats, monitoring water and land pollution, and preventing development that puts species at further risk.

Despite the law’s efficacy, several policy and legislative proposals could lead to fewer protections for vulnerable species. Last year, the Trump administration proposed a set of rule revisions that would weaken the ESA. On March 31, a group of high-ranking administration officials unanimously voted to exempt the oil and gas industry from the requirements of the ESA in the Gulf of Mexico. In the House, a bill was introduced that could weaken the ability of the ESA to protect threatened and endangered species.

There are over 1,680 species currently listed on the ESA, all of which we can still work to protect. Join our call for Congress to ensure the ESA framework remains effective in protecting the most vulnerable species.

The Body of Our Action Letter:

As a person of faith and your constituent, I ask you to make sure the Endangered Species Act framework remains effective. This law has a 99% effectiveness rate in protecting species that are listed. My faith teaches me that all species are part of God’s creation. Protecting our environment is critical for ensuring human health and safety as well. As we continue to see more species added to this list, ensuring their protection is more important than ever. Please oppose any changes to the Endangered Species Act framework that could allow for more species to become threatened, endangered, or go extinct.

Options to Take Action:

1. 1. Sign an action letter at the Action Table on Sunday.
   2. Download an action letter that you can sign and mail. Letter for within CA Letter for outside CA

++++++++++++

For personal actions or information, here are some helpful resources:

Contact the White House at https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ or leave a phone comment at 1-202-456-1111.

If you ever need to look up your member of the U.S. House of Representatives or your U.S. Senators check here: www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.

To find contact information for your California State Senator or California State Assemblymember check here: www.senate.ca.gov and www.assembly.ca.gov.