Four environmental organizations sue Donald Trump for his oil and gas extraction policies in the Gulf of Mexico.
The entities argue that the goals of the White House administration could harm endangered marine species such as the Rice’s whale and the loggerhead sea turtle.
Suing Donald Trump for his extractivist policies
The lawsuit was filed by Earthjustice on behalf of Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Earth, and the Turtle Island Restoration Network.
These organizations argue that the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service issued an “inadequate” ruling allowing significant harm to Gulf species.
They point to the 2010 BP oil spill disaster, which resulted in the death or injury of over 100,000 protected animals, as a precedent for the risks associated with hydrocarbon extraction in the Gulf.
The Gulf of Mexico is home to Rice’s whale, with fewer than 100 individuals, and five of the planet’s seven sea turtle species: loggerhead, leatherback, hawksbill, loggerhead, and green.
Oil drilling activities could cause the death of nine Rice’s whales and injure three more in the next 45 years.
Furthermore, it is estimated that each year hundreds of sea turtles will be affected by collisions with vessels, explosions, marine debris, and potential oil spills.
Irreversible Consequences
Devorah Ancel, Sierra Club attorney, expressed her concern about the situation.
“The Trump administration is working hard to give free rein to polluting companies on our lands and waters, while the endangered wildlife and ecosystems of the Gulf are suffering the consequences,” she told the EFE agency.
Joanie Steinhaus, Ocean Director at the Turtle Island Restoration Network, warned: “Endangered whales and sea turtles in the Gulf will not survive the assault by the Trump Administration on our environmental laws if we don’t stop it.”
