The scientists They had foreseen it, but now the alarm sounds stronger than ever: the cuts imposed by the Administration Trump scientific agencies are endangering the future of numerous Protected species. Mass layoffs and blocking of financing for environmental research could have devastating consequences, not only for the biodiversitybut also for the balance of ecosystems on which millions of people depend.
A lethal blow for conservation
Among the first to suffer the consequences of the cuts there are scientists specialized in the protection of endangered species. Nick Gladstonebiologist of the caves and former biologist chief for theUs Fish and Wildlife Servicewas responsible for the protection of 15 underground invertebrates and the Central Texas caves. Now he is one of the 400 experts fired in the name of “government efficiency”.
“Without our presence, these species will be forgotten for years,” Gladstone said to the Guardian. Its concern above all concerns the effects onEdwards aquiferthe only source of water for over two million Texani, of which underground invertebrates are fundamental environmental health indicators.
The blow to conservation does not only concern small invertebrates. Also the recovery program of ferret with black feetone of the symbolic species of the North American fauna, has been dismantled. Without the work of experts, the future of these animals appears more and more uncertain.
Project 2025 and environmental deregulation
Behind this wave of layoffs there is the so -called “Project 2025“, A political manifesto of the American right that defines environmental protection laws as an obstacle to economic development. The plan involves removing some species fromEndangered Species Act, including the gray wolf and theGrizzly Bearto encourage the exploitation of the territory.
This policy, however, ignores the fact that many of these species are not only symbols of American wild nature, but also key elements of ecosystems. “We have been under organic for years, and now we see our vanified efforts,” denounces a biologist from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. “Without funds and without staff, The recovery of endangered species is destined to stop“.
The effects of Trump’s dark on scientific research
The cuts don’t only affect wildlife. Scientists who study climate change and food safety are also losing their positions. A researcher of theUS Geological Surveywho worked on the strategies of climatic adaptationtells how the locking of funding is slowing down essential studies on the resilience of agricultural communities to extreme climatic events.
“We cannot afford to stop climate research,” said the scientist. “This is a global battle, and we are staying behind compared to other countries.” According to experts, the cut to federal funding for science not only puts the protection of the environment at risk, but also damages the competitiveness of the United States in the research sector.
An uncertain future for environmental protection
The scientific community has no intention of surrendering. THE’Union of Concened Scientists He openly denounced the policies of the Trump administration, underlining how cuts are not only an attack on the protection of nature, but also a danger to public health. “They are sabating crucial research on vaccines, antibiotics and pollution resistance“, He said Gretchen Goldmanpresident of the Association.
Science Under Threat: The First Two Weeks of Trump 2.0 Have Seen Major Cuts to Scientific Agencies and Funding in the US-A Stark Reminder That Evidence-Informed Decision-Making is Never Guaranteed.
– Evidence for Democracy (@e4dca) Febration 3, 2025
In the meantime, the special prosecutor’s office has established that Some of the layoffs are illegalby ordering the reinstatement of some employees with arrears. However, the damage remains enormous and the risk that many species are forgotten is concrete.
