So what does it
all REALLY mean???
Environmental problems are becoming very big concerns today. We are
facing issues that are very real and very serious. Problems
like pollution and deforestation are issues that effect all of us
today - not some distant day in the future.
So what is really going on and what does it all mean???
The issues are so large and broad that it would be beyond the scope of
this site to deal properly with all of them. If you want to search out
more in depth information, follow some fo the links in my
Critter Connections page.
However, I will get you started where animals are concerned.
So what does it mean when we say an animal is endangered?
Well, endangered is generally used as a really broad term. Basically
it means that a species is in very real and serious danger of
becoming extinct. If a species becomes extinct, that means
that there are no longer any of that kind alive anywhere in the world.
In reality, there are several terms that scientists use to designate
levels of danger for species. The definitions of these terms vary,
depending upon what organizations is doing the defining. Here are some
good guidelines to go by:
Vunerable - a 10% probability of extinction within 100 years.
Endangered - a 20% prbability of extinction within 20 years.
Critical - extinction is at least 50% probable within 5 years
or two generations.
At first, these may not seem that serious...but stop and really
think about it. Think of the hundreds of species that are
endangered (tigers, elephants, rhinos, lemurs, gorillas, cheetahs -
the list goes on and on!). Within 20 years one out of every
five of those species will be gone - FOREVER! Look back at that list
in parenthesis. There are about 27 specific species listed within
there. Which 5 don't deserve to be here on earth and have a chance
at life? Which 5 would you want your grandchildren, or even children,
to never get to experience in any way but through old photos and
movies?
The situation is even worse for those that are critically endangered.
And many of those that I listed ARE critically endangered...so now
pick only half for your children to experience. Not so easy, is it?
So why is this happening?
There are many reasons. One of the biggest concerns is habitat
destruction. That basically means we are destroying the homes
of these animals and they have no where else to go - so they die.
For example, one acre of rainforest is destroyed every 60
seconds. How many acres of rainforest have we lost while you
have been reading this page alone? Hundreds of thousands of
plants and animals live in one acre of rainforest. It is the
richest type of ecosystem in the world in terms of biodiversity and
biomass. How many of these plants and animals have forever lost
their homes or been killed outright since you have sat down at your
computer?
Other reasons include: over population (of people), pollution and
poaching (illegal hunting). All are very real threats.
So is it so bad that it is hopeless?
NO WAY!!
It is true that it is too late for many. It is estimated that 19
species go extinct every day. It is too late to save those 19 species
that left the world forever yesterday. But is it not too late for most.
And YOU can make a big difference.
I know that you are just one person, but you can help. And it really
is so easy.
Here's how:
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Don't buy animal products unless you are absolutely POSITIVE of
where they came from. Don't ever buy ivory. It may be beautiful,
but remember that an animal...most likely an elephant...gave its
life for that little bit of ivory that you want. Similarly, don't
buy fur unless you KNOW that it came from legal trade or farmed
animals.
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Don't buy things made of wood that came from areas that are being
deforested without attempts at rebuilding. Many areas are now being
logged with a little more care for sustainabilty. But a great deal
of wood is still coming from areas that are not being replanted.
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RECYCLE!!!!
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Give a little bit of your spare pocket change to organizations that
fight to make a difference. Like WWF or NWF (see Critter Connections). They appreciate donations
of only $5 or $10 just as much as any other amount. So next time you
want to go see a movie, stay home and send that ticket money to help
a program that is fighting to save the environment...fighting to save
the world. You'll feel much better, trust me! :)
Maintained by Kristin M. Streebel