Trump wants to sell off land that all Americans own. It should make you furious.

This article, originally from Grist, discusses the importance of America’s federal public lands, which are collectively owned by all citizens and cover over 640 million acres of land. Despite bipartisan support for protecting these lands, the current administration under President Donald Trump is pushing for increased extraction activities like drilling and logging. The administration’s efforts are seen as a threat to the nation’s tradition of public land conservation and democratic governance.

The administration’s actions, such as fast-tracking drilling and weakening conservation laws, have raised concerns among environmental advocates and legal experts. The push to exploit public lands for profit is met with opposition, as it disregards the value of these lands beyond their economic potential. Critics argue that the administration’s justification for these actions, such as citing emergencies like energy shortages and housing affordability crises, is exaggerated or manufactured.

The article also highlights the historical context of privatization attempts on public lands and the current administration’s aggressive approach to advancing its agenda, bypassing environmental regulations and public opinion. The administration’s focus on revenue generation from resource extraction overlooks the broader economic, environmental, and cultural benefits of public lands. Critics argue that public lands hold immeasurable value beyond their marketable worth and should be protected as public goods.

Despite the administration’s efforts to undermine public lands, there is hope among advocates that legal challenges and public opposition will prevent the rollback of environmental protections. Public lands enjoy broad bipartisan support, with polls showing strong backing for conservation efforts over resource exploitation. The article emphasizes the importance of preserving public lands for future generations and the need to balance management and protection to ensure their long-term sustainability.