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Donald Trump Has Condemned Hawaii's Native Birds to Extinction (1 Viewer)

hookem2010

hookem2010

Well-known member
His federal funding freeze will prevent the release of male mosquitoes that produce sterile offspring. Avian Malaria will continue to decimate bird populations on the islands. Akikiki will probably be gone this year. Akeke'e may not be far behind. Maui parrotbill may not survive this administration. I'm sure there are others.
Meanwhile, the national parks are in shambles as workers are fired indiscriminately. What a country I live in...
 
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This was discussed on the ABA podcast. The problem, in addition to money (and I'm sure the logistics of releasing genetically modified insects, even if it's alrwady been done elsewhere and approved by a different agency), is time. Akikiki has maybe one individual left in the wild and a few dozen in captivity, where they do poorly. Akeke'e had 650 3 years ago, with a 21% annual decrease. Maui parrotbill is at about 150 birds, a 50ish% decrease in less than a decade.
This doesn't even take into account invasive species management, which requires money and, you know, workers.
 
We still have 16 different spy agencies though - no cuts there! The super-rich people have lost their shit IMO....their morals are in the toilet.

Remember it was the super-rich oligarchs' wives that started the American conservation and environmental movement back in the early 1900's. Look at what they've become today....their wives look out the window of the Learjet and guzzle down some more booze as the biosphere is destroyed
 
Indeed - wealthy people and politicians of the past often sponsored art, conservation or science for selfish or unselfish reasons. Today bunch just shows off.

Perhaps the best way common people can influence the super rich is showing them that buying a private space flight is not cool, nor is earning another million - you get respect from what you do for the community.
 
Scott98 said:
The super-rich people have lost their shit IMO....their morals are in the toilet.

Remember it was the super-rich oligarchs' wives that started the American conservation and environmental movement back in the early 1900's. Look at what they've become today....their wives look out the window of the Learjet and guzzle down some more booze as the biosphere is destroyed
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That's not really true though, is it? There are plenty of super rich that dedicate their wealth to various charity causes, just think Bill Gates and MacKenzie Scott for starters. Furthermore, though we can selectively quote rich persons from the past that did good, I am pretty sure that the vast bulk of rich persons back then, as now, do not donate to charity in any meaningful way.

However, this thread really should be about the threat to Hawaii birds. Let's please not derail this thread further with debate on the morals, or lack, of the rich, accepting that I have also just done so 🙂
 
Most people do not appreciate the Hawaii is the United States largest military complex in the world and generates a tremendous amount of pollution.

I think it makes more sense to protect and expand habitat for species in other countries where the chance for success is far greater. This is the focus of the ABA organization.
 
This sucks! I hate knowing such beautiful and unique island creatures are dying due to the hands of people with no appreciation to them. It’s sad, like with the O’o, y’know, the male singing for a mate to never come… ;[
 
I just continually compare the actions to protect New Zealand’s fauna, with a limited budget and exceptional success with those in Hawaii. Yes, there are different problems, but the contrast is stark!
 
Nothing new as far as I'm aware. I know the new administration also cut 85% of USAID contracts, which from a bird perspective, promoted conservation worldwide.
For example, El Dorado in Santa Marta, CO received $200,000/year.
 
While lots of administrations may have done too little for Hawaiian forest birds, only one is preventing the release of mosquitoes, WHICH ARE ALREADY PAID FOR, and inhibiting management of invasive species, while also taking a hatchet to the staff researching and protecting these birds.
This will affect numerous species on the island, not just akikiki. This doesn't even begin to address the continental birds at risk of
-Drilling in ANWR
-increased logging in NWR (spotted owl, for one)
-turning the EPA into the agency that now just removes environmental regulations, polluting our air and water
 
raymie said:
The courts struck down the USAID haltage, so supposedly that'll be back on.
Click to expand...
Or not...
But Judge Amir H. Ali stopped short of ordering Trump officials to use the money to revive the thousands of contracts they have abruptly terminated for U.S. aid and development work around the world.
 
hookem2010 said:
While lots of administrations may have done too little for Hawaiian forest birds, only one is preventing the release of mosquitoes, WHICH ARE ALREADY PAID FOR, and inhibiting management of invasive species, while also taking a hatchet to the staff researching and protecting these birds.
This will affect numerous species on the island, not just akikiki. This doesn't even begin to address the continental birds at risk of
-Drilling in ANWR
-increased logging in NWR (spotted owl, for one)
-turning the EPA into the agency that now just removes environmental regulations, polluting our air and water
Click to expand...
Yeah if I recall correctly, one of Trump's executive orders pretty much allows logging companies and other groups to ignore the endangered species act entirely
 

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