07/22/2026
Last week, the Trump administration gutted 50 years of wildlife protection by redefining one word in the Endangered Species Act: "harm."
Old rule: destroying an endangered animal's habitat — its beach, feeding grounds, breeding waters — was illegal. New rule: companies can drill, bulldoze, or pollute that habitat freely, as long as they don't physically touch the animal.
Think about that logic. Could you set fire to your neighbor's house and claim no harm done, as long as you never touched them?
This isn't a coincidence. It’s all part of an effort to give developers and fossil fuel companies more access to exploit and profit from our nation’s lands and waters, no matter the costs.
The Endangered Species Act has saved 99% of listed species from extinction. These aren't abstract statistics — they’re sea turtles nesting on our beaches and whales feeding in the same waters where you surf, swim, and sail.
This rollback comes as the administration is seeking to dramatically expand offshore drilling operations and fast track permits for risky industrial seabed mining — despite significant risks to marine ecosystems and vulnerable species habitats. With the pathway further cleared, the Trump administration will soon unveil its latest plans for new offshore drilling. This is when your voice will matter more than ever. Surfrider and our team will notify you immediately when this next action is needed to stop destructive new offshore drilling — link below. 🌊
https://hubs.la/Q04qd87j0
📷 Allegra Hutton
