"Happy Birthday Endangered Species Act!"

"On this day 38 years ago Richard Nixon signed into law the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a landmark moment in human development when we formally recognized that animals and plants—imperiled as "a consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation"—deserved to survive... and need our protection in order to survive.

The ESA has been embattled since its birth. But so is every advance in human thinking that expands the rights and humane treatment of nonhuman others."

Julia Whitty reports for Mother Jones December 28, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Hastings, GOP Target Endangered Species Act" (McClatchy)

Source: Mother Jones, 12/29/2011