In a recent scientific study, the largest decline in the number of animals on our planet is noted. Experts are calling for urgent action to save biodiversity.
How many times does it take to sound the alarm to finally be heard? On July 10, a study appeared in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) in which employees of American and Mexican universities talk about the threat of "biological destruction" after analyzing the change in the number of more than 27 thousand terrestrial vertebrates, that is, half of the known mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. According to them, these species are losing ground both in number and in the area of distribution.
A similar statement is made not only in this work. The decline in biodiversity is evidenced by many scientific works that have been published in major publications. Thus, the number of orangutans in Borneo has decreased by 25% in ten years - to 80 thousand individuals. There are only 7 thousand cheetahs left, and they occupy only 10% of their historical habitat. Finally, there are 35,000 lions in Africa today, 43% less than 25 years ago.
The message is crystal clear: The sixth mass extinction period has begun on Earth. The extinction of species has accelerated 100 times in a century, which has no analogues since the death of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. The disastrous cocktail is now well known: it is the destruction of habitats (under the influence of agriculture, animal husbandry and mining), hunting and poaching, environmental pollution and climate warming.
The study released by PNAS looks especially alarming, because the decline it describes is not only about the critically endangered animals. Today, the numbers are rapidly declining in many seemingly most common species, and not only polar bears, African elephants and Chinese pandas, which have become symbols of the "red book". Does anyone know that over ten years in France there are 40% fewer goldfinches? And that the area of the viviparous lizard in Eurasia has decreased by hundreds of thousands of square kilometers? 30% of the declining species are accounted for by the animals habitual in our life. According to experts, this indicates the "seriousness of the current period of extinction."
Time is running out
This gradual disappearance of fauna and flora will be accompanied by "catastrophic" consequences for all ecosystems, as well as ecological, economic and social disasters, scientists warn. The fact is that the natural environment provides many essential services, be it pollination, improving soil fertility, cleaning air and water, and capturing carbon dioxide. The ability of the Earth to support life (including human life) was shaped by life itself.
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We know how to limit this “offensive” by humans on biodiversity. For governments, businesses and the world's population, this means rethinking production, consumption and attitudes towards nature. End of trade in rare species. Helping developing countries protect biodiversity. Priority of long-term interests over short-term ones. Time is running out. There are no more than "two to three decades" left, scientists warn. The fate of biodiversity and, possibly, humanity itself depends on this.