Would Trump's Wall Affect Wildlife?

Until now, much of the chatter surrounding the proposed border wall between the USA and Mexico has focused on its effect and its effectiveness at a human level. Will it keep illegal immigrants from crossing into the States? Is it financially viable? And what untold damage will it wreak on Mexican-American relations?

However, a new study from the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) in Tucson, Arizona has cast a new light on the debate by analysing how construction of such a wall might affect not humans, but flora and fauna which call the border region home. It found that should the planned building efforts go ahead, it could have a detrimental impact on at least 93 species of under-threat wildlife in the USA.

“An unmitigated disaster”

Authored by Noah Greenwald of the CBD, the report analysed over two million acres of land that would be disrupted by construction of the 1,200 mile-long wall within a 50-mile radius. It found that at least 93 species that are listed as threatened, endangered or candidates for either of the above would have their habitats, mating and feeding patterns potentially affected by its construction.

It also found that 25 species would have their habitats damaged and destroyed to a critical level, resulting in their migration or extinction. Among these, the list includes the Mexican spotted owl, the peninsular big-horn sheep and the jaguar. This, argues Greenwald and his team, could potentially lead to many species no longer living in the US, which could in turn have a further knock-on effect on those above them in the food chain.

“The border wall won’t be effective at stopping people seeking a better life from getting to this country, but it will destroy habitat and divide wildlife populations,” he explained. “Building a wall across the entirety of the border would cause massive damage to one of the most biologically diverse regions in North America and would be a boondoggle of the highest order.”

Trump’s disregard for the environment

Since entering office at the beginning of the year, America’s 45^th President has come under fire from many quarters, not least for his blatant disregard for environmental conservation. Though environmental analysis is a complex, fascinating and vital discipline, it has been given short shrift by Trump, who seems to prioritise making money, securing borders and offending other chiefs of state above caring for the planet.

In less than five months in the presidential hot seat, Trump has:

• Withdrawn from the Paris COP21 climate agreement
• Ditched the Clean Water Plan
• Appointed climate change deniers to key environmental positions in his office
• Built the Dakota pipeline and given the green light to the Keystone XL pipeline
• Repealed the Stream Protection Rule, allowing companies to dump waste in bodies of water
• Expanded offshore drilling operations
• Reintroduced poisonous lead bullets into rural hunting

As well as several other concerning pieces of law-making, which contribute to an overall disdain for Mother Earth from Trump and his party. Since moving into the White House, Trump has done his best to undo Obama's good work with regards to our environment, and the proposed wall on the Mexican border is just another example to add to the list.