A landmark environmental law looks ahead

• DOI: 10.1126/science.adn3245
• Publication Date: 2023-12-21T19:03:38Z
• Authors: Robert L. Fischman; J. B. Ruhl; Brenna R. Forester; Tanya M. Lama; Marty Kardos; Grethel Aguilar R...; Nicholas A. Robinson; Patrick D. Shirey; Gary A. Lamberti; Amy W. Ando; Stephen Palumbi; Michael Wara; Mark W. Schwartz; Matthew A. Willia...; Tanya Berger-Wolf; Sara Beery; David Rolnick; Justin Kitzes; David Thau; Devis Tuia; Daniel Rubenstein; Caleb R. Hickman; Julie Thorstenson; Gregory E. Kaebnick; James P. Collins; Athmeya Jayaram; Thomas Deleuil; Ying Zhao
• Keywords: Looming; Landmark

In late December 1973, the United States enacted what some would come to call "the pitbull of environmental laws." 50 years since, formidable regulatory teeth Endangered Species Act (ESA) have been credited with considerable successes, obliging agencies draw upon best available science protect species and habitats. Yet human pressures continue push planet toward extinctions on a massive scale. With that prospect looming, scientific understanding ever changing,