As we each go through our day, what most do not consider is extinction and the real threat it poses to the future of our planet.
In a new report by the AFP, it has said that up to one million species of animals could become extinct due to a direct result of the impact humans have had.
The draft report created by the UN has gone into detail about what it is that humans have done to cause such destruction to the environment.
Things that are posing a threat to climate change include the loss of clean air and water, CO-2 absorbing forests, insects to pollinate plants, protein-rich fish as well as storm-blocking mangroves.
A “mass extinction,” according to many experts is already happening.
The last time this happened was 66 million years ago in the “Cretaceous Paleogene extinction event.”
And if you are not sure what that was exactly — it was when the dinosaurs were wiped out by an asteroid.
This translates to us being partway through only the sixth mass extinction in the last half-billion years — which is 500 million years if you are counting.
Scientists say that the earth is home to around eight million species — and most are insects.
But a quarter of all animals and plants are being pushed to extinction due to crowding or being eaten or poisoned out of existence. Scientist Rebecca Shaw, Chief World Wife Fund for Nature (WWF) has said that time is limited but it is not too late to create a change.
“If we’re going to have a sustainable planet that provides services to communities around the world, we need to change this trajectory in the next ten years, just as we need to do that with climate.”
The direct cause of species loss, according to the report in order of importance, are shrinking habitat and land-use change, hunting for food or trade in body parts, climate change, pollution, and alien species such as rats, mosquitoes and snakes that hitch ride on ships or planes.
And while we have a long way to go when it comes to the damage we have done to the plant.
Save Animals Facing Extinction is an organization which was relaunched in 2016 as a not-for-profit organization that helps support policies nationwide at the state and federal levels that will protect Earth’s most precious wildlife.
“The best way to protect our planet’s endangered wildlife is to ensure that strong laws are in place and that severe penalties are levied against the criminals who deal in wildlife trafficking. Humans are the reason that so many of our most iconic and important wildlife are struggling to survive, and together, humans can work to save them.” according to the website.
“The race against extinction is urgent and immediate, and the campaign to protect these endangered and exploited species needs your financial support and commitment. Your support allows us to make an impact in saving endangered animals. Funds raised will be used to support ballot measures, lobbying efforts, and other advocacy activities in support of laws protecting endangered species.”
To learn more about how you can help fight animal extinction, click here.
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