Summary
The extinction rate of the past decade is thousands of times higher compared to the baseline rate or the natural rate. It is a result of global warming, pollution, hunting, habitat destruction, and other climate change issues. However, we can further narrow down the causes of habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution. One of the three causes of animal extinction in Africa is habitat destruction and loss. The most obvious reasons include using land for housing, agriculture, and commerce-which is the biggest threat, followed by hunting and fishing. The rate of habitat destruction in Africa is so high animals never got a chance to adapt. When fences divide a grassland or logging breaks through a forest, it breaks up migration routes. When people tear up an area of habitat, animals who live there are technically homeless. Furthermore, habitat loss is related to pollution. Acid rain from industries destroys forests and the lives living there. Oil spills kill coastal plants and animals. The poisons are washed into waterways. Plastic trash in the oceans entangles marine life. It is pretty easy to see how pollution is killing animals. It then leads to climate change. Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and methane, are released and built up in Earth’s atmosphere. It traps heat and contributes to a global rise in temperature–global warming endangers the species and habitats. Climate change impacts animals because of droughts and other natural disasters. The whole cycle is operated by humans. First, we start habitat destruction for industries which leads to pollution and causes global warming and natural disasters, consequently, this all increases the extinction rate.
Analysis
This article reminded me of all the ads that I have watched online about saving animals. This article has really brought that into perspective. I strongly believe the high extinction rate is caused by humans. If you look closely, you can just see how all the main causes are connected by humans and what we do. The small things we do are impactful. We sometimes watch the Safari Live on tv, which is a problem. This means that the only area animals are wild and free roam is mainly in Africa. I feel a need to do something good for the environment and the animals after reading this article.
I think that humans should use biodegradable materials that won't harm wild life and we need to reduce our carbon footprint because a lot of animals are suffering from the pollution that we humans cause.
ReplyDeleteI think the best way to help animals in Africa is to eliminate poaching. I think poaching should be made illegal because it's a really horrible thing to do to animals, and is just cruel. If poaching was made illegal than I think the extinction rates in Africa would be much better.
ReplyDelete