The Number of Threatened Species is Increasing

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has published its most recent Red List of Threatened Species and it showed an increase of 1,000 more species threatened with extinction compared to last year, bringing the total up to 45,000 species. So far 163,000 species have been assessed, up 6,000 from last year, with the goal being 260,000. The Red List was first established in 1964 and has been a crucial indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. Beyond its use of informing the public on population sizes, range, and ecology, it has been an effective tool in generating action for conservation efforts and policy change.

The climate crisis has made a more deadly environment for thousands of species and has accelerated the decline of plants and animals on Earth. For instance, Atlantic salmon are living in fewer bodies of water now due to human-created hazards such as water pollution, warming waters, and excessive farming, causing their population to drop by nearly a quarter from 2006 to 2020.

Climate change is making it increasingly difficult for salmon to find food and for alien species to compete. To mitigate the problem, back in 2008, it was proposed to designate 12,000 miles of river and 300 square miles of lake as critical habitat. Unfortunately, the population has still decreased despite this, but conservation efforts will always continue.

Amphibians are also some of the species suffering the most from climate change, with 41% of these species being threatened. With higher temperatures creating droughts, these species cannot move out of harm’s way to escape the increase in frequency and intensity of the extreme heat and hurricanes.

Different weather conditions can also help spread diseases such as Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, which has been spreading deeper into Europe and across to the Americas, infecting new species of amphibians. Thanks to conservation efforts 120 species have still improved their conservation status over the last 40 years. One example involves the Wildlife Trust of India digging out pools that support the breeding of the Anaimalai flying frog and other threatened species.

How Can We Help?

During the UN Climate Change Conference last year, one of the topics at the forefront of discussion was the conservation of wildlife.

During the discussion, participants found conservation efforts to restore animal populations could seriously reduce the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. To be more specific, they had conclusive evidence that effective wildlife initiatives could capture 6.41 billion tons of CO2 annually. This could be crucial for ensuring that we keep global warming below 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels. The climate change and biodiversity crisis are not separate issues and are fully intertwined. Climate change cannot be curbed without wildlife habitats being restored. 

There are things the average person can do to help protect endangered species, even small actions making a difference.

Depending on the type of house someone lives in, they can establish a pollinator garden and native vegetation in the yard. This will provide food and shelter for wildlife. People can also minimize the use of pesticides and herbicides, as these are hazardous pollutants that affect wildlife on many levels. People can also join others and organize in events such as the Stop Extinction Challenge organized by the Endangered Species Coalition.

Our industries do have the largest effect on endangering wildlife as well as conserving them, but individuals do have the power to make real changes on the speed and reversal of our loss of habitats.