As with humans, the most economically and biologically sound way to assure wildlife species health is to prevent activities that imperil species in the first place. The science of conservation biology is making strides toward a better understanding of natural laws. Novel free-market economic models are now being used to help resolve development conflicts. These recent advances should be reflected in preauthorizing legislation so that the Act can be more effective for humans and wildlife alike. One of the most compelling justifications for the Endangered Species Act is to protect human welfare itself.
Wildlife species possess benefits of enormous although often unquantifiable value.
They provide food, medicine and shelter. Interacting in their natural ecosystems, they manufacture the air we breathe, cleanse our water, fertilize the soil, cycle nutrients, decompose waste and control floods and insect pests. And they provide important psychological benefits ranging from relief from the stresses of modern urban society to satisfaction from expressing our ethical duty to safeguard creation. As Congress prepares to preauthorize the Endangered Species Act, we must find better ways to encourage and reward good human stewardship of nature's gifts. Among our most compelling moral obligations must be protecting the natural estate so that we can pass it on to our descendants in no worse condition than we received it.