Climate Change is Cooking the Planet: The Dire Consequences for Wildlife

This piece was originally released on Walk Into The Wild website on July 28th, 2023.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reported that the first three weeks of July 2023 have been the warmest on record, and it is predicted that July 2023 will be the hottest month ever recorded, exceeding the previous record set in July 2019. It is highly probable that within the next five years, one of them will be recorded as the warmest on record. Additionally, there is a likelihood of 66% that the temperature will exceed 1.5°C above the average recorded between 1850-1900 for a temporary period of time during at least one of those five years. source: WMO

The UN secretary general,?António Guterres, stated that

The era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived”. He urged leaders to take swift action to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and avoid the worst of climate change

What is Climate Change and its?effects?

Climate change is a term that refers to the long-term changes in the Earth’s climate, such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, and wind patterns.

Why temperature is rising

The temperature is rising because of the greenhouse effect, which is the process by which the Earth’s atmosphere traps some of the heat from the sun and prevents it from escaping back into space. The greenhouse effect is natural and necessary for life on Earth, but human activities have increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

Effect of temperature rising

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing our planet and its inhabitants. It is causing unprecedented changes in temperature, precipitation, sea level, ocean acidity, and extreme weather events.

These changes have profound impacts on the natural world, affecting the survival, distribution, behavior, and physiology of wildlife across terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

we will mainly discuss the effect on wildlife and birds in this blog post.

Effect of Global boiling on wildlife

Global boiling is a term that is sometimes used to describe the extreme effects of global warming on wildlife. Global warming is the long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s climate system, which is mainly caused by human activities that increase greenhouse gas emissions. Global warming affects wildlife in many ways, such as:

Habitat loss and fragmentation:?Many animals and plants depend on specific climatic conditions and ecosystems to survive. As the climate changes, their habitats may become unsuitable or disappear.

For example,?Polar bears,?Arctic foxes, and?Penguins?are losing their ice habitats due to melting glaciers and sea ice. Some species may try to migrate to new areas, but they may face barriers such as human development, roads, or predators.

Migratory birds are also facing the same problem. They are losing their habitat due to human development and climate change. Wetlands are drying up due to climate change and human development. Birds are losing their habitat and food source and most of the birds are facing extinction.

Changes in phenology:?Phenology is the study of the timing of natural events, such as flowering, breeding, migration, and hibernation. Climate change can disrupt the synchronization of these events with the seasons, affecting the survival and reproduction of wildlife. For example, some birds may arrive earlier or later than usual to their breeding grounds, missing the peak availability of food or mates.

Changes in phenology:?Phenology is the study of the timing of natural events, such as flowering, breeding, migration, and hibernation. Climate change can disrupt the synchronization of these events with the seasons, affecting the survival and reproduction of wildlife. For example, some birds may arrive earlier or later than usual at their breeding grounds, missing the peak availability of food or mates.

Increased competition and predation:?Climate change can also affect the interactions between different species, creating new challenges or opportunities for wildlife.

For example, some invasive species may expand their range and outcompete native species for resources or habitat. Some predators may benefit from climate change by having more prey or fewer competitors. Some prey may become more vulnerable to predation by having less cover or camouflage.

These are some of the effects of global boiling on wildlife that have been observed or predicted by scientists.

However, there may be other effects that are not yet known or understood. Therefore, it is important to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help wildlife adapt to changing conditions

How to reduce the carbon footprints

Reducing your carbon footprint is a great way to help the environment and fight climate change. Your carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases that you produce as you live your life, such as driving, using electricity, eating, and shopping. There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint, but here are some of the easiest and most effective ones:

• Eat low on the food chain:?This means eating mostly fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans, and avoiding or limiting meat and dairy products. Animal products are responsible for a large share of greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from feed production, processing, and methane from livestock. By eating more plant-based foods, you can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 8 pounds per day.
• Choose organic and local foods that are in season:?Transporting food from far away uses a lot of fossil fuels for fuel and cooling. Buying food that is grown organically also reduces the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that emit greenhouse gases. Eating local and organic foods can save up to 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.
• Buy less and buy better:?Shopping for clothes, electronics, and other items can have a big impact on your carbon footprint, especially if they are made from materials that require a lot of energy and resources to produce, such as cotton, plastic, and metal. Buying less can help you save money and reduce waste. Buying better means choosing products that are durable, reusable, recycled, or ethically made.
• Use less energy at home:?Heating, cooling, lighting, and powering your appliances can account for a large part of your carbon footprint. You can save energy by using more efficient devices, such as LED bulbs, smart thermostats, and solar panels. You can also adjust your habits, such as turning off lights and devices when not in use, lowering your thermostat in winter and raising it in summer, and washing your clothes in cold water.
• Drive less and drive smarter:?Transportation is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., mainly from cars and trucks. You can reduce your carbon footprint by driving less and using public transportation, biking, walking, or carpooling instead. If you do drive, you can drive smarter by choosing a fuel-efficient or electric vehicle, maintaining your car properly, driving at moderate speeds, and avoiding unnecessary idling

Conclusion

Climate change is a global threat that affects all living beings on Earth, including wildlife. It has various effects on wildlife, such as heat stress, habitat loss, distribution shifts, phenology changes, and physiological changes. These effects can have negative consequences for wildlife’s survival, reproduction, health, and welfare. To prevent or reduce these effects, we need to take urgent and coordinated actions to mitigate climate change, adapt to its impacts, and conserve wildlife and their habitats.

Read More About the Census Process and Wildlife

• Behind the Numbers: Understanding the Tiger Census Process
• Why Elephants May Not Exist in the Future?
• India’s Remarkable Journey in Wildlife Protection