The border wall project between the United States and Mexico is seen by some as a necessary security measure, while for others it represents a risk to biodiversity and a cultural barrier. With the Trump administration moving forward with its construction, environmental organizations warn about its potential devastating impacts.
Impact of the wall on biodiversity
Dan Millis, coordinator of the Sierra Club Grand Canyon program, highlights that the border region, which extends from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean, is home to a great diversity of species. According to Millis, building a wall could be detrimental to more than 100 endangered species, many of which inhabit Arizona.
Examples of affected species include the jaguar, the ocelot, and the Sonoran pronghorn, species that depend on their migratory routes. Without access to these, some could become extinct, as is the case with the jaguar, which has already become extinct once in the north of America.
Millis points out that dividing the habitat of these species is comparable to cutting their homes, reducing their territories and limiting access to essential resources such as water, food, and mates for reproduction.
He also criticizes that to prevent people from crossing the border illegally, the government is willing to disregard the country’s environmental laws.
Another serious problem is the risk of flooding. The region is prone to flash floods that have significantly damaged infrastructure on both sides of the border. A wall could act as a barrier, worsening these situations.
Millis believes that, in reality, a wall would not stop illegal immigrants or traffickers, as they could circumvent it. Instead, it would block the natural flow of water and affect wildlife.
Since Trump announced his intention to build the wall during his campaign, multiple oppositions have emerged. Environmental experts have shown in detail how this project could harm the ecosystem and the species that depend on it.
Critics of the wall hope that the government will consider these arguments and reconsider its stance for the sake of the environment.
