Climate Change & Extinction
“Man steps on an ant when he can't catch the fly.”
― Bill Gaede
We knew a sixth mass extinction was possible, but the threat of a massive disappearance of animals and plants becomes more clear with each new scientific publication. The one published on March 14, 2018, in the journal Climate Change, led by the WWF in partnership with researchers from the University of East Anglia, predicts a sad future for our planet.
According to this study, "If global warming continues, to reach + 4.5 ° C, approximately 50% of the species currently living in the most bio-diverse regions will be threatened with extinction". This risk would be reduced by half if we keep the increase in global average temperature below 2 ° C.
It’s a vicious cycle since the extinction of one species can only lead to the extinction of other species since most of them are linked with complex relations like predation, parasitism or mutualism, which is the mutual help between different species. We must maintain every species if we want to keep our ecosystem flourishing.
Causes of extinction
Extinction is a phenomenon with various causes and various actors but the mass extinction that we know now is mainly only caused by human-activities. Starting with the main cause, global warming, which is threatening the entire planet and all the ecosystems. Global warming is the consequence of greenhouse gases emissions which is causing severe changes in temperature.
The main emitters of greenhouse gases are, agriculture, the industry, private use of energy, transport and many others.
World biodiversity has declined alarmingly in just half a century: more than 25,000 species, almost a third of those known, are in danger of disappearing. Climate change will be responsible for 8% of these.
‘It is estimated that one-third of corals, freshwater molluscs, sharks, and rays, one-fourth of all mammals, one-fifth of all reptiles, and one-sixth of all birds are heading towards extinction’.
- The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, By Elizabeth Kolbert
The ways in which climate change is expected to affect species are multiple and complex, but are generally thought to include:
Loss or degradation of important habitats and micro habitats.
Changing of environmental thresholds e.g. temperature, water availability/quality beyond those that a species can tolerate.
Loss of important interactions between two unrelated species, or the arrival of new, negative ones e.g. disease.
The disruption of environmental cues (e.g. for breeding or migration).
The direct loss of individual organisms, or even populations, as a result of extreme events.
Climate change-susceptible species such as birds, amphibians and warm-water reef-building coral species, are the ones most affected from the negative effects of climate change impacts initial. Results suggest that up to 35%, 52% and 71% of these groups respectively susceptible to climate change.
If we look at the Red List of Threatened Species from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there we can see the decline in natural biodiversity of our planet. In its 2017 edition, this list now includes 87,967 species, of which 25,062 are in danger of extinction.
In the oceans, just a rise of 2C° in temperature and the acidification of water are turning coral reefs — previously lush underwater meadows full of algae, fish, molluscs, and crustaceans — into whitish deserts.
Extinction risks from climate change are expected not only to increase but to accelerate for every degree rise in global temperatures. The signal of climate change–induced extinctions will become increasingly apparent if we do not act now to limit future climate change.
Effects on humans
We are all dependent of different species, for food, clothes, oxygen and a lot more things. We can’t survive if we are the only species in the world.
The lack of diversity in our ecosystems can also lead to a loss in the food production by plants, because the more the ecosystem is varied the more the nutrients in fruits, vegetables and in general plants, are numerous.
A loss of species equals to a loss of nutrients and minerals in our foods because the soil, with enough nutrients will help plants to grow, to reproduce, to create a network for species which will, in fine, help them to have mutual help from each other.
Biodiversity has also an impact on health; Biodiversity would also promote conditions for better health. Firstly by diet, since increasing the diversity of food, we increase the diversity of sources of nutrients. But biodiversity also affects health risks. Indeed, studies show that the more ecosystems are rich in biodiversity, the easier it is to stop viruses or pathogenic bacteria because some plants act as barriers against different types of bacteria.
Biodiversity would also affect air quality and water quality. Through the plant world, microbial world, through the varieties of mushrooms or even through different species of animals or insects, biodiversity and nature act as filters for our environment. The quality of the air we breathe, for example, depends on biodiversity.
Mostly, the oxygen we breathe is produced by living species (bacteria, plankton and plants). The main producer of oxygen on the planet is plankton and oceanic phytoplankton. When marine biodiversity decreases, it affects plankton and its ability to produce oxygen. Same with the trees of the Amazonian forests. In terms of water quality, it's the same, plants act as filters, purifiers.
Why maintaining biodiversity thriving is important?
First, because it is something extraordinary, prodigious a living and complex machinery that gathers everything on our earth and is the result of billions of experiments, adjustments, and inventions, accomplished over millions and millions of years.
Secondly, because this heaven is threatened by humans, by us, the rate of extinction is accelerating in alarming proportions, a thousand times more than the "normal" rate, and maybe ten thousand times more if nothing changes in few decades.
Because the planetary living system is still largely unknown and we have a lot to learn from it, because it is also about, since we are part of this ecosystem, we are not a superior species, we only are primate who became pretentious and destructive.
Finally, because it is our living environment, the basis of all our resources, our origins, our family and because our development totally depends on nature and ecosystems.
Beyond the species that are threatened, such as turtles, elephants or pandas, it is important to realize that all living beings are concerned, because if half of the species disappears, it will upset the whole food chains and ecosystems. Ultimately, as a species at the heart of nature, humanity would also be threatened by our own actions.
We have the power to change are behavior towards nature and we have to do it now.
Check out these video’s to learn more!
Human Extinction by 2030.
Climate change is a process which has a lot of impacts on all living on the planet. From the smallest plant to big mammals in the savanna. But what about humans? Global warming, by interfering in the food chain is also impacting human kind. We will need to adapt to these changes, according to their importance and their strength. But we can still reduce the phenomenon and find solutions in favor of a climate change reduction.
Can we speak about a mass extinction caused by humans?
Michael Benton, a paleontologist, tries to answer this question in his talk. Palaeontologist Michael Benton explains how scientists trace the history of life on Earth, examines the data about biodiversity and addresses the question we all want to ask: Will the human actions on environment mark the end of the world as we know it?
Thomas Stocker starts his talk with several myths that are commonplace when speaking about climate change. He helps us to understand the process of climate change and gives accurate numbers about this phenomenon. Evolution between gases concentration before human development and after, is enormous and shows the impact of humans on nature.
He also gives clues to help our society on the road of de-carbonisation, which is one solution to avoid climate change, or at least, reduce it.
COWSPIRACY, The sustainability secret.
This documentary speaks about the biggest reason of climate change. It explains that livestock represent the leading cause of pollution in water, water consumption, use of pesticides or deforestation for example, leading to extinction. Kip Andersen, the creator of this film, shows all the damages that this industry can do to animals or environment, and how the exploitation of a small number of species can cause disappearance of thousands others.
SOLUTIONS
The reality is hard... Scientists say that we enter in the next mass extinction, it would be the sixth according to the known history of the planet Earth. They predict that it will be a global event that will affect three-quarters of animal and plant species that exist today.
Here is the picture at a global level, but locally, there are still small changes and improvements that all of us can achieve to improve our environment and reduce this 6th mass extinction, a problem that concerns everyone.
We must all be protective of life and not damage it. Shooting, catching, forcing or assaulting animals are cruel and illegal practices in many countries.
Capturing animals for the only purpose of human entertainment can lead to the extinction of this species. We must avoid leisure’s like circuses, zoos, safari hunting, aquariums and theme parks, all of these activities seriously affect animal life. We must focus on preservation area’s where wildlife can roam free.
One of the biggest threats that animal species are facing is the deterioration and loss of their natural habitat. Through the protection of places where animals live, we protect their lives, the entire ecosystem and the life of the planet. Food, a place to shelter and space to reproduce is essential for survival. The development, the exploitation of the forests, the over-exploitation of natural resources lead to a massive destruction of the habitats.
Emission footprint
According to this global footprint, it is easy to notice differences between countries. Some of them are polluting massively and others emit a very small amount of CO2. For example, United States represent the biggest share in the graph of pollution with 26% of the whole world, even if they used to emit 40% of the global CO2 emissions in the 1950’s. China is also a big polluter and represent almost 12% of the global emissions. Campaigns about emissions reduction should focus on these countries because nowadays 6 countries contribute to 60 percents of the global emissions of CO2.
Education
Education is an essential element of the global response to climate change. It helps young people understand and attempt to limit the impact they have on global warming, encourages them to change their behavior, and facilitates their adaptation to climate change trends. We need to develop a consciousness in the mind of young people, transmit habits and create a feeling of obligation when it comes to sustainability. We must transmit values of environment, erase values linked to capitalism and money because this is what changed earth in a polluted world.
For education in primary school, we can consider 4 different parts.
The first one is the knowledge of climate and the process climate change (scientific knowledge).
The second part could be knowledge about habits, climate solutions and actions to take to improve to planet condition.
Then, the diversity of species and education about ecosystems, food chains, relations between species and the cultural and biological heritage.
The last part could be about the link between social transition, climate change and ethic.
Energy consumption
The first way to prevent climate change, through energy, is to move away from fossil fuels. We know that The energy sector contributes to almost 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions . Today we know that alternatives can be used to replace fossil energies.
Renewable energies like solar, wind, biomass, hydrogen and geothermal are part of the answer.
In term of renewable energy, hydrogen can also sound like a solution. For instance, hydrogen cars have been tested for year and have many advantages. They are not emitters of greenhouse gases and already safe to use. It’s a strong alternative to fuel cars.
Diet
Our diet is a key element of climate change. People are not always aware of the impact of their foods on climate change and can harm environment against their deep desire. We know that emissions from plant-based diet are 50% less than a diet including animal origin products.
We also know that global warming is caused mainly by agriculture and mostly by animal related activities. So cutting meat consumption can become a solution to cut greenhouse gases emissions in the future.
What are the things you implement in order to avoid extinction? Let us know by tagging us with #theconsciouschallenge
» Want to contribute to our Ecological Footprint Bible? Submit us your scientific articles! Mail us at info@theconsciouschallenge.org
Sources:
https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/effects-of-climate-change
https://www.iberdrola.com/top-stories/environment/climate-change-endangered-species
https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/effects-of-climate-change
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2012.1890
http://cowspiracy.com/facts
https://d2ouvy59p0dg6k.cloudfront.net/downloads/wildlife_in_a_warming_world_summary_report_2018.pdf
http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/83/1/thomascd1.pdf8
https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/elizabeth-kolbert
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rspb.2012.1890
https://www.iucn.org/sites/dev/files/import/downloads/climate_change_and_species.pdf
https://wwf.panda.org/our_work/wildlife/problems/climate_change/
https://www.iucn.org/theme/species/our-work/species-and-climate-change
https://www.iberdrola.com/top-stories/environment/climate-change-endangered-species
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/02/why-insect-populations-are-plummeting-and-why-it-matters/
http://ipclimatechange.trg-learning.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Science-2015-Urban-571-3.pdf
http://shrinkthatfootprint.com/food-carbon-footprint-diet
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-014-1169-1
https://ourworldindata.org/co2-and-other-greenhouse-gas-emissions
