In a trend that echoes the U.S.-Mexico border debate, some say that calling non-native animals “foreigners” and “invaders” only worsens the problem, according to an article in Smithsonian Magazine. UT ecologist Daniel Simberloff feels that those who believe this deny the existence of climate change. “So far it hasn’t been as dangerous as climate denial, but I’m waiting for this to be used as an excuse not to spend money [on controlling invasive species,]” he said.
Simberloff is the author of the 2013 book Invasive Species: What Everyone Needs to Know, a book aimed at policy makers, land managers and others who are working to fight the spread of invasive species.