Climatic change: Leading to species extinction
September 14th, 2009
Global warming is something that will affect nearly everyone on this planet unless something can be done to control it. There are oodles of articles which have thousands of theories about the effects of global warming and the destruction that has been wrought on the planet because of it. We as humans are aware of the destruction that we are willfully carrying out on our one and only planet; but the tragedy arises when we take a closer look at the thousands of species that have been permanently wiped out of existence due to our own ignorance.
Global warming can be explained as an increase in temperature of the earth, the air layer near to the surface of the earth, and oceans. Since the phenomenon was recorded, the has been an average increase in the global surface temperature by about 0.74 ± 0.18 °C over the last century. The increase in global temperature has changed weather conditions, caused drastic climate changes, and caused rises in sea water levels that irreparably damaged the entire delicate balance of ecosystems all over the world. The direct effect of climate change and global warming can be seen in the changes of migrations routes of migratory birds, fishes and turtles. Rare species like the little egret, the loggerhead turtle,
the red mullet, and the ringed plover have all changed their migratory patterns to stay closer to home. This adaptation can damage the existing ecosystem which was given a chance to recuperate when the birds moved to other climes. Other species adapted to the warmer climate by moving further north but this simply encroached on the natural territory of polar bears and seals that occupied the cold arctic seas all year round. The large amount of species competing for the same food has placed a large load on the arctic sea ice that is already struggling to resist melting due to raised temperatures.
Other effects that have been seen are the almost complete destruction of species like Australia’s Boyd’s forest dragon, 
Europe’s azure-winged magpie and Mexico’s Jico deer mouse which are finding it very difficult to adapt to the rapid and constant weather and climate changes. Extensive deforestation, heated water, rising water levels that are eating into beaches are contributing to a constant loss of precious animal and plant species on an almost daily basis.
Researchers say that unless something is done quickly to deal with the constant flood of greenhouse gases;there are very good chances of losing several more species as well in the long run. According to the study carried out by 14 laboratories locates in several different countries around the globe, there was a consensus that almost 1,103 native species will disappear or by extinct when the year 2050 rolls around.
Unless we actively work together, we might just land up wiping ourselves along with everyone else permanently out of existence(…)
