Huge decline of amphibians is a major threat to global biodiversity

Many amphibian species are at the brink of extinction. The decline of amphibians is happening in all corners of the world and scientists still do not fully understand the reasons behind such excessive population loss.

There could be many different causes behind the decline of amphibians such as habitat loss, environmental pollution, invasive species, predation, reproduction, disease and of course the ever present climate change.

Some scientists believe that this rapid decline of amphibians is a clear sign of yet another major extinction episode in the earth's history. The current rate of their extinction has reached horrific level as it is happening more than 200 times faster than that of the average extinction rate.

In the last century or so, our environment (and our planet in general) has experienced severe environmental changes any by the current looks of it amphibians are among the species least ready to adapt to these changes.

Dr Andrew Blaustein, a professor of zoology at Oregon State University, has colorfully stated that one of the main reasons for amphibians struggle to keep up with these changes is the fact that "with a permeable skin and exposure to both aquatic and terrestrial problems, amphibians face a double whammy".

Science is running out of time to save amphibians. So many different extinction causes make this problem extremely complex and science is so far finding it very hard to come up with the adequate answers.

While some causes are natural the others originate from humans. In many areas of the world human activity represents a major hurdle to amphibian adaptation, the one that only few amphibian species will be capable to overcome.

Amphibians are ecological indicators and their massive decline in the last few decades is a major threat to global biodiversity. The worst part is that these species are often ignored and overlooked when it comes to conservation. Existing conservation efforts as well as scientific efforts are not enough and by the current looks of it only a miracle can stop their further population decline.

What is science is right about climate change?

There are still many climate change skeptics in the world who believe that science is wrong about climate change. Is it really so easy to remain ignorant about the most serious environmental threat of our time? If we believe science about so many different things then why not believe in what they have to say about climate change? Why would scientists lie to us?

If science is right about climate change then our children and our grandchildren will have a really tough time surviving in future world. Almost all predictions about the future climate are about dramatic changes characterized by frequent extreme weather events, major sea level rise, new diseases, floods, droughts, etc. Definitely not something to looking forward too.

Climate change is already happening, and the evidences about this can be clearly seen in many corners of the world. It is completely another matter whether we actually want to see these evidences or not. Why? Because of our contribution to climate change phenomenon in form of excessive greenhouse gas emissions.

The time has come when we must not only think how to tackle climate change from becoming much worse in years to come but also how to adapt to climate change. The rich countries certainly have enough money to come up with the effective solutions to adapt to climate change but what will happen to the developing world? The poorest to suffer the most yet again?

The world has to be aware that climate change impact will not strike all regions equally, and that the ones hit the most will require the largest funds. This particularly applies to Africa that will likely need the largest funds of all continents. Like hunger alone isn't already a big enough problem for black continent.

The international climate deal that would oblige all countries to massive greenhouse gas cuts is really the only logical way to prevent climate change impact from reaching the catastrophic proportions. However because of the huge political polarization between the developed and the developing world climate change deal currently looks anything but possible.

The climate change science doesn't have very long history but this is no reason not to believe scientists because they have no reasons to make things up. If only half of that what they are saying is right then the world is heading to an environmental disaster of gigantic proportions. We can't say we haven't been warned...

The main reasons behind penguin decline in Antarctica

Several recent studies have confirmed that a number of penguin species at Antarctica, especially chinstrap and Adelie penguin are declining, and the main reason for this is not enough food, which is yet again connected to climate change.

The penguin's diet mostly consists of Antarctic krill, a little shrimp-like animal. Krills belong to the most abundant species on our planet (there can be sometimes up to 30,000 krills in a cubic-meter of seawater) but their abundance has started to severely reduce for penguins because of not only warmer waters but also because of the increased competition from whales and seals who also have krills on their menu.

Krills play extremely important role in Antarctica's ecosystems, and their abundance is the key in preserving the unique Antarctica's biodiversity.

The before mentioned chinstrap and Adelie penguin have been experiencing a decline in population by up to 50% since the mid 80s.

The main difference between these two penguin species is the fact that Adelie penguins love ice while chinstrap penguin avoid ice. Since both of these penguin population experienced severe decline in last 20-30 years the scientists concluded that the loss of ice cover is not the main reason behind their decline but rather the lack of krill.

This was clearly confirmed by comparing the numbers of these two penguin species in the 19th to mid-20th Centuries (when penguin population was the highest because humans almost extirpated seals, baleen whales and some fish which meant more krill for penguins) and today.

The abundance of krill for penguins is not only reduced because of many competitors but also because of climate change. Warmer waters and less ice cover is altering the adequate physical conditions necessary to sustain large krill populations.

If warming continues there will be less krill, and with it the less penguins in Antarctica.

Climate talks still anything but promising

The environmental condition of our planet is not good, and by the current looks of it things are getting even worse because world still hasn't done anything meaningful that would decrease the impact of the biggest environmental threat of our time. Of course, we are talking here about the climate change.

The potential climate change solution is international climate deal and massive cuts in greenhouse gas emissions but international climate talks have so far been just talks, without any significant action, and given the current political situation in the world even the biggest optimists remain unconvinced that world leaders are ready to put aside their individual interests for the good of our planet.

How can you expect something more from climate talks when world leaders can't even agree over the agenda for negotiations as the latest report from climate change talks in Bangkok clearly points out.

Despite living in the 21st century the world is still very much a divided place. On one side there are developed countries and on the other poorer developing countries. Developing nations say that Kyoto must be preserved while developed world thinks that world needs a much broader climate agreement that would include all big emitters to steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Last year's Cancun climate talks were at least somewhat promising but this year looks to be another "blame it on the other story". This is of course a big disappointment because many people expected positive things in 2011. How can world leaders reach international climate deal when they can not even agree on agenda, and are currently stuck in useless procedural discussions.

What is preventing world leaders from using the common sense and basic logic? I mean, if they all agree that climate change is very serious global threat to our entire planet then doesn't this mean that climate change issue should outweigh their individual interests. Or did they become so blinded with money and power that they have forgot about the priorities and real values?

Our world is really a sad place to live in. It's like we no longer know how to separate right from wrong. What will our children and grandchildren think of us if we remain ignorant about climate change? What's our legacy to them? A planet brought to the very edge of total environmental disaster?

Humans threatening Antarctic's biodiversity

Antarctica is a very special continent on Earth, the one that has through many thousands of years developed unique ecosystems with species that can be found only here and nowhere else in the world. Unfortunately the current mix of different environmental problems such as climate change, pollution, invasive species and overfishing is threatening the survival of many Antarctic's ecosystems.

Climate change is the biggest threat to life in Antarctica. If humans continue with the excessive carbon emissions this will have extremely negative impact on Antarctica for decades to come, and many unique species to Antarctica will perish from the face of the Earth.

Not only that many species in Antarctica are extremely sensitive to even the slight increase in temperature but climate change is also opening the door for many invasive alien species as well as making ocean around Antarctica more acidic.

Dr. James McClintock of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States, has issued the warning about the ocean acidification issue around Antarctica by claiming that "The Southern Ocean is the canary in the coal mine with respect to ocean acidification. This vulnerability is caused by a combination of ocean mixing patterns and low temperature enhancing the solubility of carbon dioxide".

Together with working on international climate deal that would oblige all countries to significant reductions in carbon emissions world leaders also have to make sure to:

1. Reduce the air and water pollution from increased shipping traffic, wrecks and oil spills.
2. Stop the further flow of invasive species to Antarctica.
3. Stop overfishing, and also reduce the hunting of whales and seals because they play extremely important role in marine food chain as one of the top predators.
4. Decrease the number of tourists in this area and make sure that some areas with the most sensitive ecosystems stay out of the tourists reach.
5. Keep the close control on research stations and ships to decrease the levels of pollution.
6. Make sure to prohibit oil and mineral exploration in Antarctica in years to come.

Instead of always being a threat wouldn't be nice if for a change we could be actually doing something to help the survival of unique ecosystems, not only in Antarctica, but also around the globe.