Monday, April 21, 2008

The Great Wall of America

The Bush administration is trying to slow the flow of south-of-the-border immigrants to the U.S. by building a wall through some biologically diverse desert lands. There's no way to know how effective the wall will be at keeping out the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. It seems certain, however, that it will have a major effect on plant and animal life in the region.

How many environmental or land-management laws did the Bush administration waive in order to go ahead with building the wall?
a. fewer than 10
b. 10 - 20
c. 20 - 30
d. more than 30

Which of the following endangered species may die out if they can't go back and forth freely between Arizona and Mexico?
a. Sonoran pronghorn
b. jaguar
c. ocelot
d. long-nose bat
e. all of the above

What are scientists saying about the wall's potential impact?
See Juliet Eilperin's article in today's Washington Post.
Her article also answers the other questions, but alas, the answers aren't hard to guess.

No comments: