Dwindling wildlife

Climate change is not just an ecological catastrophe but a serious existential threat to all living things. This is because it is becoming increasingly difficult for species that currently exist, including the human race, to cope with the rapidly changing atmosphere of earth. These theories predicted long ago by environmentalists are now becoming a reality that global monitoring organisations can indeed confirm.

The WWF Living Planet Index shows that the population of wild animal species across the world has plummeted by an astonishing 70% since 1970. The index further elaborates that biodiversity-rich regions such as Latin America and the Caribbean have also lost the population of different species by up to 94%. Changes in the weather system not only alter global temperatures but also lead to many disastrous consequences for living creatures. Decrease in agricultural production, drought events, artificial chemicals and unequal distribution have caused massive food shortages around the world. Moreover, while sea temperatures have also been severely altered, industrial waste and toxic chemicals dumped into water bodies have made it difficult for marine life to survive. Heatwaves, forest fires and deforestation have the same effect on warm bodied animals. The loss has been further accelerated by mass production, exploitation and improper development. These statistics are alarming and should force world leaders to rethink their strategies in the upcoming COP27 event. At such a stage, preservation and adaptability are key.

Time is of the essence and vulnerable countries must push to reduce global emissions at a much faster pace. Apart from that, reparation is necessary for rebuilding and funding must be given to wildlife organisations to protect dwindling species including flora and fauna. There is a need to act immediately to protect biodiversity as we humans too are on nature’s hit-list.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2022.

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