Blogs
Problem: Biodiversity loss due to climate change
The populations of fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles have declined by 52% between 1970 and 2010; also more than 60% of the essential services provided by nature, from our forests to our seas, are in decline. In result of this plummet, our loss of biodiversity increases. Why have these populations been dwindling? The amount of carbon in our atmosphere has been destabilizing ecosystems, creating expeditious melting of arctic sea ice, degrading lands, rivers and oceans, as well as producing more CO2 in the ocean. These are just a few ways climate change has been affecting the natural cycle of how these animals live their lives. Today's climate change is occurring rapidly, giving many organisms too little time to adapt. Some marine creatures are growing thinner shells or skeletons, due to the changing of climate. Some of these creatures play a crucial role in the food chain, and in ecosystem biodiversity. The fear of lowland species moving to higher elevations has been predicted as an effect of climate change. With result of this lowland species are driving upland species extinct. With all this change in their ecosystem these organisms don’t know what to do.
Solution: Increase biodiversity by
- Planting more vegetation
- Reduce use of pesticides and fertilizers in lawn care
- Support environmental organizations
- Get involved with ecological restoration in your area
- Composting
- Use environmentally friendly products for cleaning
The Government can:
- Invest in preserving and restoring habitats, especially those sensitive to climate change as an essential “insurance policy” to safeguard against climate-change impacts.
- Sustainable water management where river basins, aquifers, flood plains and their associated vegetation provide water storage and flood regulation
