“You can judge a man’s true character by the way he treats his fellow animals.”
Paul McCartney
Are you an animal lover?
While talking with a family member at a reunion a few weeks ago, we drifted onto the topic of climate change. She told me she cares for a lot or reasons, but mostly because she is an animal lover. I’m an animal lover too, and I know there are lots of us out there. So I thought it was time to give our animal friends a little attention. Most media stories are focused on how climate change is affecting humans, but it’s not only about us. It’s about animals too.
Not just the polar bears
Although polar bear have become symbolic of the struggle of animals on our warming planet, they aren’t alone. The list is long, but here is a sample:
- African elephants – drought is making drinking water hard to find, threatening their survival
- Salmon – warming waters have led to a harmful parasite and are also forcing them to migrate
- Sea turtles – nesting sites are vulnerable to sea level rise and increasing temperatures
- Moose – milder winters are leading to more ticks, which are causing illness and death
- Puffins – warmer waters are causing the fish they eat to migrate, leading to starvation
- Polar bears – loss of sea ice makes it harder for them to hunt for food
According to the National Wildlife Federation “climate change represents the most significant long-term threat to the survival of America’s wildlife”. In fact, they estimate that one third of all species could become extinct in the decades ahead.
Loss of biodiversity harms us all
Animals and humans rely on one another. The biodiversity of the Earth is necessary for the sustainability of all life. The International Fund for Animal Welfare spells out how our warming planet is threatening this balance.
First, rising surface and water temperatures lead to loss of access to food and water for animals. Also, natural disasters such as forest fires, heat waves, and droughts can damage or destroy animal habitats. These problems will continue to get worse until we find solutions.
Solutions
The overarching solution is to reverse our warming trajectory by phasing out fossil fuels as quickly as possible. The transition to clean energy is underway, but the sooner it happens, the better – for both animals and humans.
In the meantime, animals will be forced to adapt. Some animals are better equipped to adapt to the changing climate than others. Migrating to cooler climates or waters is a solution for some, but others may need assistance to make that change.
What can you do?
- Learn more about climate change and how it’s affecting animals
- Donate to one of the many organizations working to protect them
- Raise awareness by talking to others
- Find more ideas through the Nature Conservancy
Let’s do something about climate change. Learn about it. Think about it. Talk about it.