I'd forgotten about the border wall these past few months, but Trump hasn't. Border security is once again a pillar of his election campaign, so back in June he made a trip to a newly built portion of wall stretching 200 miles through Texas. Arizona too has seen swaths of land dredged and bulldozed for an additional 150 miles of border structures.
The Covid-19 pandemic does not seem to have slowed construction down one bit, despite the economic strain and escalating death toll. At a time when medical experts were urging people to stay at home, construction crews from all over the country were working and living in close quarters, commuting back and forth on weekends. It seems inconceivable that an election promise of such pharaonic proportions (and of little to no practical effect) should be of more importance to this administration than the devastating effects of coronavirus.
With only 77 days to go until the US exits the Paris Climate Accord, this monument in the desert yet again demonstrates Trump's disregard for biodiversity, the environment and climate change. On the edge of the San Bernardino national wildlife refuge in south-eastern Arizona, rare desert springs and groundwater are being extracted to make concrete for a 20 mile stretch of wall. For this sub-project alone, the government suspended 28 federal laws, including laws for environmental protection and the rights of Native Americans. The refuge is home to thirty seven endangered and threatened species, including the endemic Río Yaqui fish, the Chiricahua leopard frog and the Aplomado falcon.
Chiricahua leopard frog (Lithobates chiricahuensis), credit: Jim Rorabaugh/USFWS
Aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis), credit: Magnus Manske
Trump is nearing the end of first term in office and 3rd November might mark the end of his presidency. With that hopeful day in view, it seems unlikely that he will see the completion of the 500 miles of border wall he promised. The obvious questions now is whether Joe Biden plans to continue the construction project if he is elected, or whether there is a possibility that these ecosystems might be saved and restored. In an interview, Biden stated "There will not be another foot of wall constructed on my administration", however he will not tear down the segments erected by the Trump administration. Although this will save carbon emissions and waste, the existing barrier will still hinder animal migrations, fragment populations and limit access to water. On a positive note, Biden has committed to ending the aggressive land confiscations from owners whose properties intersect with the planned wall. Instead of a border wall, the Democratic nominee will focus on ports of entry, where most of the drug trafficking is known to take place.
Watch John Oliver's take on border wall updates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZRE6uVMDAo
