It took 30 years for the world to realise that global warming has devastating effects. At first, the international community brushed it off, terming it as mere scientific jargon. Then came the next stage: The dawning of realisation. And finally there has been agreement that mankind will have to combat global warming and try to reverse its effects.
Now a study has placed before us a grim and chilling report: Three-fifths of animals with backbones — fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals — have been wiped out since 1970 because of human beings. If current trends continue then global wildlife could plummet two-thirds by 2020. The warning came from conservation group World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Zoological Society of London in their joint biennial Living Planet report. The reason why the wildlife population has dwindled is clear — habits of human beings. Our population has more than doubled since 1960, growing to 7.4 billion. We are eating animals, killing them for pleasure, poisoning them and encroaching upon their habitat.
The WWF and Zoological Society of London based their report after the long-term monitoring of some 3,700 vertebrate species spread across more than 14,000 distinct populations the world over. We cannot afford to ignore this shocking and disturbing study. Animals are crucial to the ecological balance. Biodiversity is needed for healthy forests, rivers and oceans. If these species are wiped out, the ecosystem will collapse, along with clean air, water and food and climate services they provide to human beings.
The report stressed that the five main factors for this plunge in wildlife are — habitat loss, which is at the top, followed by over-consumption, pollution, invasive species and diseases. Some animals are already dying because of climate change — rising temperatures and changing weather patterns affecting them severely. Coral reefs have been devastated because of El Nino, triggered by global warming. Pollution is not only ruining air quality, but affecting wildlife as well. The report must serve as an alarm for governments around the world and the international community. There must be concerted efforts to revive wildlife habitat and animals must be protected. Hunting is a sport for many and they pay thousands of dollars just for the thrill of killing an animal.
Man is paying a massive price for global warming and now with the looming danger of wildlife being wiped out, the consequences will be dire. Governments must pass legislation to protect our environment. There must be increased awareness in societies around the world against killing of animals. We must stop this disaster.
