By Amira Adarkwah
11/21/21 edit - adding categories
We’ve all found ways to entertain ourselves during this pandemic. Some of us may have taken up a new hobby or experimented in their kitchen. Some may be using the time to learn a new language or cram for AP Exams. Perhaps, like many others, you’ve been binging television on one of the many streaming platforms available to us in this day and age. One particular docu-series was a massive hit after its March 20 premiere on Netflix: “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness.” According to the data firm Nielsen, the jarring docu-series captured the attention of millions of viewers, thirty-four million to be exact. Though explicit, Tiger King highlighted the gruesome practices of private owners of exotic, and unfortunately, endangered animals.
There are generally considered to be eight subspecies of tiger, three of which are now extinct, and it is estimated that there are only 3,500 tigers remaining in the wild worldwide (https://www.fws.gov/international/animals/tigers.html). One of the three major pressures that threaten the survival of the remaining subspecies is habitat loss.
Habitat loss is a process of environmental change in which a natural habitat is rendered functionally unable to support the local species. This process may be caused by habitat fragmentation, geological processes, climate change, or human activities such as the introduction of invasive species or ecosystem nutrient depletion. In the process of habitat destruction, the organisms that previously used the site are displaced or destroyed, reducing biodiversity. Thus, biodiversity is closely linked to climate change.
According to a Science Magazine (peer-reviewed academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science) article, “[c]limate change is causing geographical redistribution of plant and animal species globally.” “These distributional shifts are leading to new ecosystems and ecological communities, changes that will affect human society.”
The current global goals, policies, and international agreements fail to account for the impacts of a climate-driven redistribution of Earth's species despite the growing evidence for these effects. Of course, one can take steps to reduce one’s personal impact on the environment by reading our club’s previous blog posts regarding reducing energy consumption, reducing food wastage, composting, and more. However, we must all campaign for change. Whether on a local or national level, activism is incredibly important. Our planet is warming faster than at any time in the past 10,000 years. If we want to save our planet and its precious species, then we must act. Greenpeace’s website lists several campaign issues and has a link to sign the petition for a strong Green New Deal: https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/climate/.
Further Reading:
This site lists charities and organizations that campaign for endangered animals: https://www.oysterworldwide.com/news/17-charities-that-help-endangered-animals/
https://online.ucpress.edu/cse/article/3/1/1/108728/Understanding-the-Outcomes-of-Climate-Change
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