The connection between the endangered species and biodiversity

The more endangered species the bigger the biodiversity loss, this is a pretty simple equation. The number of endangered species is sadly growing all the time, and if the current trend continues it will be impossible to stop biodiversity loss, and world will soon find itself on a one-way road towards the total disaster.

The main reason why there are so many endangered species is habitat loss. The habitats of many animals are shrinking all the time because of the human population growth, and sadly humans are the main disruptive force responsible for destruction of many ecosystems around the globe.

Climate change is another reason to worry as scientists believe that many animals will fail to adapt to global warming, and many of them will likely forever perish from the face of the Earth which will add more impact to already huge biodiversity loss.

The diversity of life on our planet is currently in the state of rapid decline, and we are the main culprits for this state because our hunger for more resources, energy, and space has significantly grown in the last few centuries triggered by population explosion and the rapid industrialization.

We have the destiny of our planet in our own hands, and we already have to power to decide which species should be saved, and which should be considered as "unworthy" of conservation efforts. The main problem is that with such power also comes a great responsibility, and this responsibility is sadly so easily misunderstood by many people across the globe.

Basically, when you think about it the main link in connection between the endangered species and biodiversity are humans. The humans have the power to either stop biodiversity loss by protecting animals and plants from going extinct, or to continue the current trend of ignorance towards the environmental problem.

What will it be?

What needs to be done to protect birds in North America?

According to the latest reports North America is experiencing rapid bird decline as according to the latest study by the scientists from US, Canada and Mexico 148 bird species need immediate conservation action or they could be soon going extinct.

These 148 most vulnerable bird species among others include Hawk-eagles and wood partridges. The main reason why many bird species are experiencing decline in population is because of the habitat loss, and this issue will require the most attention from conservationists, though of course there are also some other issues that will need to be solved too if we want to save these birds from going extinct.

Here are some things that need to be done to protect birds in North America from going extinct:

1. Since the loss of habitat is the main reason behind the decline in bird population birds definitely require more protected areas, which also means that our current legislation needs more endangered species laws because without such laws it is very difficult to establish effective protected areas for birds.

2. Agriculture, forestry and urban planning need to be more sustainable because this is the only way to conserve as much as possible current bird habitats and ecosystems on which their survival depends.

3. Bird mortality rates need to be decreased by introducing certain measures such as for instance reducing the amount of pesticides.

4. More scientific research in order to better understand the bird distribution patterns, and how certain management practice affects some bird population in certain location.

5. More media attention. People need to know what is going on, and media should promote benefits of conserving birds to average Joe, in order to put more pressure on politicians to come up with the adequate endangered species laws.

6. Partnerships and cooperation on national and international level. More people involved means more shared information and knowledge, so regional and international alliances would be certainly welcome thing that could significantly contribute to bird conservation efforts.

Connection between climate change and CO2 emissions

The increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are regarded by many scientists as the main reason for the ongoing climate change problem. Carbon emissions have started growing since the start of the industrial revolution, and the worst period was the end of the 20th century, after which world leaders started taking climate change issue more seriously. Sadly, still not serious enough to agree upon new climate deal that would oblige countries to significantly reduce their CO2 emissions.

What will happen if the world fails to reduce the level of carbon emissions in near future? According to scientists climate change could reach catastrophic proportions in form of frequent flooding, drought, global sea level rise, extinction of many animal and plant species, more hunger and new diseases.

According to the latest study from the U.S. scientist Jeffrey Kiehl of the National Center for Atmospheric Research if industrial carbon dioxide emissions continue unabated, atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide could by 2100 reach levels not seen by more than 30 million years, when Earth’s average temperature was 25 to 30 degrees F warmer than today.

This study also claims that if carbon dioxide continue with the current trend this will result in levels of carbon dioxide in to atmosphere of 900 to 1,000 parts per million by 2100 — triple levels two centuries ago.

This basically means that the world leaders by failing to agree new climate deal are putting our planet "on a trajectory that the human species has never experienced". According to Kiehl our planet is probably also twice as sensitive to CO2 as currently believed, since models do not factor in the amplifying effect that melting ice sheets and sea ice will have on warming.

The latest Cancun climate talks have provided us with some glimpses of hope that the new climate deal is still possible. But the world doesn't have the luxury of time and its disposal, so hopefully we won't have to wait too long for the new international climate deal to be agreed upon.

Biodiversity loss, extinction and climate change

Biodiversity loss is one of the biggest ecological problems world is facing today, and due to the strengthening of the climate change impact this problem is getting out of our control, in fact the scientists have calculated that due to the climate change extinction of species is thousands times higher than natural extinction.

Such state of biodiversity will cause huge and irreparable damage to global ecosystem, and many species will go extinct. Many people in the world still fail to see that the stakes are really high when it comes to biodiversity, and that our future generations will suffer if we do not tackle this issue as soon as possible.

However there is still no sign of global climate deal which means that climate change will likely become even stronger in years to come. Stronger climate change will also add more impact to ocean acidification, and majority of ecosystems on our planet will be pushed to a point of no return.

In October 2010 at the convention in Nagoya, Japan, the international community has outlined the new strategic plan that incorporates a 2020 biodiversity target and sub-target. This plan also contains a means of implementation as well as a monitoring and evaluation mechanism.

Still, this plan has so far been nothing but some letters on the paper, and world will have to do plenty more if we want to have any chance to stop biodiversity loss.

Our entire world is one huge ecosystem which means that the extinction of any species is doing certain damage on global scale, and if this unprecedented extinction continues world will soon find out what total environmental disaster is all about.

Greenland ice melting - Current situation

There are some scientists who say that Greenland will become ice free by the end of the century. This is because of the constantly rising temperatures and 2010 was one of the hottest years on record. Still, according to the Dr Alan Hubbard from the Aberystwyth University Greenland will not lose all of its ice by the end of this century, though of course the future of Greenland looks anything but good.

According to Dr Hubbard it would take at least 100 to 1,000 years before Greenland ice potentially passes point of no return leading to widespread collapse of Greenland's ice cover.

Dr. Hubbard's team consisted of 15 scientists from Aberystwyth and Swansea universities who spent five months on the ice sheet from the beginning of May where they measured the thickness, speed, climate, and other vital statistics using radar, seismic and geophysical equipment in order to determine the current situation with Greenland ice melting.

The team has concluded that increased temperatures in Arctic region have caused extensive melting in new upper parts of the ice sheet, and this rapid melting has generated at least double the quantity of melt water, compared with 2009 levels, which runs off the ice sheet into the Atlantic and Arctic oceans.

Dr. Hubbard stated that Greenland warming is worse than ever, and this warming effect has enhanced and extended melting into new northern and upper parts of the ice sheet generating huge quantities of melt water, which could in years to come lead to serious sea level rise.

Dr. Hubbard and his team plan to return to Greenland in 2012 to study the effect that reduced winter sea ice has on ice sheet flow and ice berg calving.